COMEDK MDS entrance preparations | Gettler’s test

Gettler’s test is done for death by: 

A. Drowning
B. Hanging
C. Bums
D. Phosphorus poisoning

Ans. A. Drowning

Difference of chloride contents of blood in the right and the left hearts > 25% difference is significant. – Gettler’s test^Q.

i. In fresh water drowning water pass from the lungs to the blood and the blood gets diluted by as much as 72% in 3 minutes- hypervolemia& hemodilution → hemolysis → increase K+ level Hyperkalemia.  → heart stops in diastole. left side of heart shows– chloride content up to 50% lower than usual. , more dangerous than sea-water drowning