The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-01-27
Number 40.

anterior portion of the scalp was dissected
and the posterior portion back
wards; and we found large collection of
extravasated blood between the scalp and
the bone, extending over the parietal bone
of the right side, and the occipital bone.
The occipito frontalis and temporal muscles,
and the facia and perecranium being remo-
we'd, we discovered issure nine and hal
inches in length, in the Uranium, covering
about the middle of the right temporal bone,
and passing across the posterior-lnferior an
gle of the parietal bone, across the upper
portion of the occipital bone, and termina-
ting in the lamdoidal suture on the left
side. We also discovered transverse frac-
ture three-fourths of an inch in length, COM
mencing in the main fssure, and running
up to the lamdoidal suture, one inch from
the saggetal suture, on the left side. Here
the Court Suggestsdthe necessity Of using
languagelochich OOuld let those understand
the meaning ,chO acere not acquainted Nth
the technicalities Of a,atOmy.l We then
removed the top Of the Uranium and found
a large collection Of extrayasated blood be-
tween the bone and dura-nater, about OF 4
inches in diameter and about an inch in
depth. We then removed the dura-mater,
and found the brain confused and disorgan-
lied, especially under the coagulated blood.
There was considerable extravasated blood
in the substance of the brain. We opened
the chest, but found no morbid appearance,
except an adhesion of the plura-castalis and
plura-pulmonaris, produced from previous
inflammation. The cavity of the abdomen
was natural; and from the occipital bone
down the whole length of the spine were
found no marks of external violence. The
pressure on the brain from extravasated
blood, between the bone and dura-mater,
occasioned his death--was caused by exter-
nal violence of some kind. hardly think
that person in fits would turn over and
over.
CrOSs-eramined by prisoners Counsel,
i can't say from examination whether
there was more than one stroke or not
We discovered but one spot, and the blows
might have been repeated on the same place.
The perecranium was separated from the
bone on the right side of the head. have
attended patients with epieptic fits, but not
while fit was on them; one patient was sit
ting up, and his lower jaw dislocated by
the spasmodic contraction of the muscles.
Anger and fear combined might produce a
fit of appoplexy. discovered neither ex-
ternal nor internal marks of violence on any
other part of the body. After fits, the pa
tient would be apt to be Frustrated and
sore.
DR.. McMahan, SUorn. l was present
at the post nlOrtem examination. | think
the collection of extravasated and coagula-
ted blood between the bone and dura-mater
caused Donnell's death, which must have
been occasioned by external violence. l
could not say whether there was one or
more blows on the head. Inever saw per
son with fits rolling about; after fits they
are generally more or less PROSTATE.
eross-eramined By prisoners Counsel.
There were no external evidences Of vi
olence on the back. If there were two
strokes on the head they must have been
given on the same place and the stroke
was given with the side of the axe.
John KiSner, sworn. On the evening
that Poke came to Squire Thomas's, he
got into conversation about DornelI.
asked him whether he was angry when he
struck him, and he replied that he was in
as good humor as he ever was. told
him was sorry to hear him say SO. He
stated no reason for striking Dornell; Squire
Thomas and family, Mrs. Poke and her
daughter, and others, were present.
CrOss-esdmined by Prisoners Counsel.
Il cannot say positively that Poke under
I