State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-12
WHOLE No. GAG.

vous to their leaving this place, Mr. Smith
Obtained consent of the parents of the de-
ceased, to make an examination of the body,
and for that purpose Mr. Smith and MIR
Wright and students, accompanied them
to Braintree. But from the sudden termi-
nation of her life, there having been three
or four cases that had suddenly proved ia
tai in their vicinity within a few weeks, I'M
der the Thomsonian treatment, the citizens
of this town were not satisfied that an ex-
animation and report of the case should be
made by those gentlemen only who profess
an entire ignorance of the internal structure
of the human body, and also of its healthy
or diseased appearance, therefore requested
the physicians of this town to 20 10 Brain
tree and witness the examination. When
we arrived at that place, DIR Smith politely
invited DR. Burnham of Barre and DR. Brad
ford of Randolph, to make the dissection,
and it is but justice to say that he appeared
ready to afford every facility to Il thorough
examination, and willing to answer any
question relating to the case. The eXami-
nation was made thirty hours after death.
On removing the cloth the back, neck and
soft parts Of the ears presented dark, or
livid color. Several livid or yellowish spots
were scattered over the extremities. The
! livid color of the skin that appeared in this
case, is common in all sudden deaths
| The spots on the extremites, resembling
small bruises, frequently occur when the
system is under the influence of powerful
excitants, often in commissions, and Is al
ways seen upon some persons alter taking
an emetic, from the violent conlractons OF
/ the muscles which they induce. On ope-
ming the body, the heart appeared pei lectly
I healthy, and of natural size; the lungs
somewhat darker than usual from their
containing a large quantity of blood IN
their veins the windpipe and all its nu-
merous divisions down to the size OF COM
mon knitting kneedle We're filled with their
composition powders, composed OF cayenne
pepper, valeren, and bayberry bark, other
wise they appeared healthy. 1t was sup
I posed that this composition was introduced
into the lungs during the last hours OF her
life, from the effect of the LobeIla, which
some of the physicians present had wit
messed 1t was thought that it might have
so destroyed the sensibility of the parts
attached to the windpipe that liquid sub
stances might have readily passed into the
lungs without producing the violent irrta-
ton which is usually felt, when they are
| swallowed the wrong way as it is com
! monty FHlItils lIt CNlCIldl ~
| the stomach, bowels, and the membranes
, ,onnecting them indicated high degree of
excitement. The blood vessels were en-
larrcd. and rather more ford than natural.
> The stomach and bowels contained large
, quantity of the same composition as was
. found in the ear tubes of the lungs. The
, internal surface of the stomach was of a
redish color, being of deeper hue in
some parts than others; several small
t patches of a deep red were scattered over
g the surface, but more numerous towards
, the right extremity. The bowels We're III
3 similar state, but less tinged with red.
This red appearance was the consequence
of recent inflammatory action which we
| supposed to have been produced by the
use of the Thompsonlan medicine. vi
{ this we think there can be no doubt when
= it is known that Miss Benton was able to
!, work ut her trade (being Il tailoress and
h walk about the village till the time of her
o starting for Barre with MIR Smith.
: The glandular system was found healthy
# except small gland in the. lower part OF
the bowels, which was slightly enlarged
c and probably had been so for a long time
j. and might have remained in that state and
/ even increased to very large size, without
?, producing much disturbance of the system
for many years.
From all these facts we could come 10
no other conclusion than that the immediate
cau'e of the death of this young lady, was
the ignorant and unskilful administration
y. of the Thomsonan medicine, particularly
the article of Lobelia.
Il WALTER BURNHAM, NJ. n.
: N. w. PERRY, M. D.
is S. CHAMBERLAIN, NJ. d,
Ie Barre, Oath June, 1886