Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic medicine and Toxicology. Vol. 1 by R. A. Witthaus et al.

1. =Temperature.=—Putrefaction advances most rapidly at a temperature

between 70° and 100° F. It may commence at any temperature above 50° F., but it is wholly arrested at 32° F. So one day’s exposure of a body in summer may effect greater changes than one week in winter. After freezing, putrefaction takes place with unusual rapidity upon the thawing out of the body. A temperature of 212° F. stops all putrefactive changes.