• Question: when a person dyes does the stomach swell with gas and explode

    Asked by callumjames to Kat on 11 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Katherine Davies

      Katherine Davies answered on 11 Mar 2011:

      Hi Callum

      Sort of. When a person dies, the bacteria in the gut feed on the tissues and produce huge amounts of gas, causing the abdomen and the rest of the body to swell. The skin becomes very tight, so technically it may explode if pierced!

      Usually what happens, is the gas will leak out of a weakness in the skin, such as around the genitals, wound, or holes made by scavengers or larvae. They can ‘deflate’ very quickly, releasing putrid gas – very smelly!

      Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure of witnessing this…

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