We under Subscribers, James Craufurd and James Muirhead, Chirurgeons in Edinburgh, having order from Sir John Dalrymple his Majesty’s Advocate, to go to Morum and there to take up the Corps of Sir James Standsfield, and to sight and view the same exactly, and if need were, to open up the body, and to consider whether there appeared any evidence of wounds, bruises, or strangling upon the Corps, besides what might have happened by his falling or drowning in the water, &c. In obedience thereto, we caused take up the said corps in the presence of “(here follow the names)” indwellers in New Milns, and some others. Having with all possible exactness viewed the corps we observed the face a little swelled, and inclining to a dark reddish colour, some fulness of some capillarie veins in the pallet of the mouth towards the uvula, as also a large and conspicuous swelling, about three inches broad, of a dark red or blue colour, from one side of the larinx round backwards to the other side thereof; we observed the jugular veins on both sides the neck very large and distended and full of blood; there was a large swelling under and betwixt the chin and the cartilago scutiformis; there was also a little scratch below the left mandibula, which had rankled the cuticula, and made some little impression on the cutis: Having made incission from the chin down about the larinx, and cross upon the swelling of the neck, we found a greater laxness and distance (as we think) than ordinary betwixt the cartilago scutiformis and os hyoides; we found the tumour on the neck, containing bruised, like dark or blackish blood; the jugulars, when cut, bled inconsiderably especially that on the left side.
Having opened his breast we found the lungs distended to the filling up their capacities, but free of water: his stomach, liver &c. were all in good condition; we found no water at all; the breast, belly, privy parts, &c. were all well coloured, there was no swelling in his belly, nor any thing by ordinary to be seen on his head. This we attest and subscribe with our hands.
We under subscribers, Chirurgeons of Edinburgh, having fully considered the report made by James Craufurd and James Murehead concerning the condition of the corps of Sir James Standsfield, and though it be not usual to declare more than matter of fact, yet in obedience to your Lordships commands, where ye desire to be informed, if these symptoms found upon the body, do import drowning or strangling; we humbly offer opinion, so far as our art or experience will allow. And whereas the report informs us, that there was found a swelling and preternatural redness in the face, a large conspicuous tumour, about three inches broad, of a dark red, or black colour, from the one side of the larynx round backwards to the other side thereof, a large swelling betwixt the chin and the cartilago scutiformis, the jugular veins on both sides very much distended; and when incision was made downwards between the os hyoid and larinx was observed a laxness, and distance between the os hyoid and the cartilago scutiformis, incision was made cross alongst the tumour it was found full of bruised blood; the jugulars likewise, when opened, yielded a considerable quantity of blood, especially on the left side, no smell or corruption appearing in any part of the body. It is very probable these parts have suffered some external violence, which hath made them appear so far different from their natural figure and colour, and could not be caused by drowning simply. As to the other part of the report, the breast and belly being opened, the lungs found distended, the bronchi full of air, without any water, nor any water found in the stomach or intestines, a body when drowned being generally found to have much water in it with other circumstances of the report considered, gives just ground to think he was not drowned. This we subscribe at Edinburgh the 3d day of Feby 1687
The College of Physicians being assembled at the desire of his Majesty’s Advocat, to consider a report made by some Chirurgeons, concerning the body of the late Sir James Standsfield, and to give their opinion, whether by the said report, there is any just ground to believe that the said Sir James Standsfield was strangled or drowned? And they have accordingly considered the said report. They are of opinion, supposing the verity of the said report or declaration that there is sufficient ground to believe, that the said Sir James Standsfield was strangled, and not drowned. In testimony whereof these presents are subscribed by