The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-20 00:00:00

DOUSE OF DETENTION.

The report from this prison stated that during the
Sear ending at Michaelmas last there had been 6,518
prisoners, 1,853 of whom were admitted again on
being further remanded, making the general total
8,371, or 190 over the preceding year. The report
stated that "notwithstanding this increase, the
visiting justices, who have never lost sight of the im-
portance of introducing all practicable economy in
the management of this prison, are happy to be en
abled to report that there has been a diminution in
the expenditure of this year of 3,2391. 6s. 2d., the
expenditure of the preceding year having been
9,5331. Is., whilst that of the year just completed,
1848 9, was 6,2931. 14i. 10 1. ; the diminution being
occasioned principally in the outlay incidental to
supplifis on opening the prison, which will not again
he required. The net diminution may be taken at
6081." The daily average of prisoners was 109, the
largest number at any one time was 192, and the
number that day was 102, none of whom were in
either of the infirmaries.

The committee of visiting justices having been ap-
pointed, and some routine matters disposed of, the
Court adjourned.

THE SUPPOSED CASE OF CATALEPSY.
BRISTOL, OCT. 19.—The adjourned inquest on the
body of Mr. Byron Blythe, the particulars of whose
most extraordinary case have already appeared in
The Sun, was resumed this afternoon at the Albion
Tavern, Princes-street, before the Coroner, Mr. J. B.
Grindon. The utmost interest was manifested in the
inquiry, and the jury-room was crowded, as well as
the approaches to it. Mr. Blythe, the father of the
deceased, was present, and paid great attention to the
proceedings. The coroner having recapitulated the
facts of the case as they have already appeared in our
columns, observed that the usual signs of death were
pretty well known, and though some of these signs
were wanting it did not follow that death had not
taken place. In particular the absence of coldness
and rigidity frequently occurred. On Monday last
he had had an opportunity of seeing an infant who
had died the previous Saturday, and the body was then
quite warm, but there could be no doubt death had
taken place.
The first witness called was Henry Strugnell, the
landlord of the house where the deceased lodged. He
had known the deceased since August twelvemonth.
He was placed under the care of witness at that time
as a lodger and boarder. The deceased was then
about 17 years of age, and was with Mr. J. Ford,
merchant, in King-street, in this city. He had been
in good health until that day week, when he returned
home, and complained of being unwell. He had
only tea and bread and butter for breakfast, after
which he went to his usual occupation. Between
eleven and twelve a message was sent to witness that
he was taken very ill. Witness hastened home, and
found him lying on the sofa. He said that he had
been very sick and had vomited. Witness went for
medical assistance, and between twelve and half past
twelve Mr. Kelson attended him, and continued to do
so till his death, at half-past two the same night.
Witness saw him five or six times during his illness.
Between six and seven in the evening a nurse who
had been hired attended him. Witness last saw him
alive at half-past twelve. He thought his case hope-
less. At half-past two the nurse came to the door,
and said deceased was gone or nearly gone. Witness
first saw the body after death about nine o'clock, when
he went up stairs with the undertaker's man. There
was nothing particular about it to attract attention.
Witness supposed that deceased had died from cholera,
and had no reason to think that the nurse had
neglected her duty in any manner.
Joseph James Kelson, a surgeon, said that he had
had some slight acquaintance with the deceased,
having been consulted by him some time previously.
On Friday last he saw him soon after twelve, lying
on a sofa at hit lodgings. His appearance itnme
diately convinced witness that he was suffering from
cholera. He was suffering from cramp, and was then
in the advanced stage of collapse. Witness ordered
him antacids, absorbents, and opiates. His first pre-
scription was 36 grains of confection of opium, chalk
mixture six ounces, two table-spoonfuls to be taken im-
mediately, and repeated every two or three hours. A
scruple of carbonate of soda was afterwards given in
a wine-glass of water. Witness also gave him a
wine-glass of brandy, and was with him two hours at
first, and again about six, when he understood Dr.
Green had been sent for. He also saw Dr. Wallis
coming down stairs, who said, " You had better go
up and see him ; I will wait for you." Ile afterwards
met Dr. Green on his return down stairs. The pa-
tient was in much the same state, not at all improved.
Witness consulted with Dr. Wallis and Dr. Green, and
they decided on the mode in which the patient should
be treated. While witness was writing the prescription
a person came down stairs and said deceased could
not breathe. They went up, and thinking that he
had spasm of the diaphragm, gave him half a wine-
glass more brandy. Prior to his being put to bed the
bed was warmed, and flannel was put round his legs.
At this time the extremities were not cold. They
ordered a mustard poultice to be applied to his breast
and abdomen, which with the brandy relieved him.
It was agreed to give him one grain of muriate of
morphine, fifteen grains of sugar of lead, and a little
aromatic confection, to form a mass, to be divided
into six pills, one to be given immediately and repeated
every hour, with a small quantity of mutton broth or
beef tea between the doses. They agreed to meet
again at ten o'clock. They all did so, and found the
patient free from suffering. He had no sickness, and
the bowels had not been acted on since they had left.
The pulse, too, which previously could not be felt,
was then perceptible, and he had diffused warm
perspiration, whereas in collapse the perspiration was
generally cold. They left him about half-past ten
o'clock, not thinking it necessary to remain longer.
The treatment used was that which they all agreed
in considering the proper one. [The witness
here said he wished particularly to notice
the marked and kind attention paid to the
deceased by the mistress of the house.] Witness
heard in the night that he was dead. He called the
next day and saw the body with Dr. Green. On
Sunday he saw him at nine o'clock, with Dr. Wallis
and Dr. Green. They examined the body with care.
There was more heat than he should have expected so
many hours after death. There was not the usual
dulness in the pupil of the eye. There was some
rigidity, but not so much as usual. The face was
more like a person asleep, the usual ghastliness
death being absent. They determined on opening
vein, but no more blood flowed than usua_lfromadead
body. In consequence of the absence of some of the
signs of death they determined to meet at 12 fend try
some means to arrive at a more decisive result as to
his death. They tried galvanism, electric shocks
passed through the body, and injecting the veins with
warm salt and water. Those methods failing, they
were satisfied of his death. When they first saw the
body on Saturday,it was in a coffin, dressed in a shirt
and stockings, and enveloped in sawdust.
By the father—The depth of the sawdust on the
chest was about a quarter of an inch or half an inch.
That might prevent evaporation of heat, and might
generate heat.
Dr. Wallis, having been sworn, corroborated those
portions of Mr. Kelson's evidence in which he was
concerned, and added that at the time he had no doubt
of the death, and that the heat was caused by the
body having been put early in the coffin and covered
with sawdust before it was cold. If it had been left
open in the usual way it would have exhibited no un-
usual appearances. He was convinced death had
taken place in the customary manner. There was
not the slightest appearance of death from suffocation .
In this case he should not have thought it necessary
to try experiments, but that it had attained public
notoriety and interest. Unquestionably the experi-
mints were tried to satisfy the public.