The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-19

editor and proprietor OF the New York Herald.
Ire CASE OF MRS Gu.MoUR. As the medical ex-
animation IN this case has excited good deal OF
attention and interest, not only amongst the men,
r; oi The profession, but the public generally, we
feel justified IN devOtlng a small portion OF our
space 10 A survey Of IL. We were much dsap
pointed in finding that the medical witnesses, with
perhaps one exception, that OF DR. Nelson, did not
rsslly entaI into any thing like rational deduction
from heir Investigations. They conlented them
selves with a detail OF their observations,
leaving the Commissioner the work of educing
the appropriate conclusions Here, in our humble
opTion, they manifesty failed in the DISCHARGE of
their duty witnesses They should have ex-
pressed in definite and explicit terms, their opinion
respecting the mental condition OF the individual
under examination, and then if necessary or de-
manded, have stated the grounds OF that opinion.
This would have saved time, enabled them to MAN.
tain thelrprotesslona dignity, and greatly facilitated
the objects OF the investigation.
The examination confirmed still more decidedly
the opinion expressed before it took place, that
The selection of the medical witnesses was I'M
happy Common sense, should, we think, long die
lated the selection OF gentlemen famary acquain-
ted with the dialect, manners and customs of the
community amongst whom the prisoner had always
lived before her arrival in this country. Having
given al such considerable length the testimony of
the medical witnesses, and as the question of the
womans sanity has excited so much very reasona-
bic interest here, we consider that we may with
propriety offer the following statement of the results
OF an examination into her mental character made
by highly respectable and intelligent Scottish ply
stefan in this city, DR.. Cumming
My views regarding the present condition Of Mrs Gil
mour drawn from three interviews with her. Ihaye
been guided in forming an opinion regarding her cond
ton by careful investigation of her appearance manner
and behavior and her moral and intellectual condition
the vacant wandering stare Of the eye apparent
bilty or indifference what is passing around her or
what said regarding her. When ntimdated with the
strongest eye remained calm no blush
paor passed over the cheekno tremor othe lpno evil
dence OF sensbty the Importance of present life or
deah-eternal peace or suffering. The nsensibl-
~ also manifested when her bosom vas barred and
her breasts examined When brought to relate circum.
stances OF affecting character started to
her eye although toe eyes OF her auditors suused
but convulsve sterc sob always succeeded such re-
cals and this would be almost eign In.
sensible 10 pain evinced by scratching hand in
numerous places TO the blood flow that she might
feed the Hes Indifference Good, displaying interest
the selection Of articles at abe Apparent
TO her present painful situation and perfect dociiity Of
manner. These circumstances in her appearance man.
ner and behavior were to me indicative of mental de-
rangement The instructive desires and feelings
all apparently deficient deronged evinced in her
parent nd srence to her suation-to the approach
no anxiety for food, apparent indifference to extreme
heat, haS ing at Of my visits wooen cloak
whic she only took of when her keeper assured her it
wsstoo warm showing no particular desire for repose
but rather w9keulnes sleep approaching apparently
from exhaustion having apparently desire sojourn
IN any particular place being equally DESTROYS Of
ing here elsewhere provided she confined In
small space The desire of pleasure and dread of pain
were not active nor did appear that she had any mark
ed love OF lfe All these instructive feelings and desires
We're by no means so active naturally expect to
fnd them in all human beings Parental and lia aec-
ton seemed lively when called forth
It seemed to me doubtful, manifested only when
talked Of She however disked being alone and parti
culsry desired the company of females With regard to
this department Of investg alton less satisfied it
was only collateral evidence and any alteration might
The intellectual state OF Mrs Gmeur appesree to md
most deficient. She did not to readily recognise
persons her kno Wedge Of places seemed deicent
IN relating events she continually branched of into
and could only give rational and detail of
cicu instances when they related to her lormer suffer-
ing real imagined; ledge OF names ofindivi
duals and places, seemed most imperfect unless when
recalled ny some adventurous Circumstance; she seemed
10 nave but avery inaccurate and confused idea OF the
time of occurrences believing herself once
dead and having then lost all knowledge Of persons and
thngsi she appesredto entertain various false impress
sions and illusions OF the senses conceving her
Their dead that her grandmother Who had been dead
many years always and occupied her bed night
aud that te dog her father she, for being attached
her always present with when alone; she relates
Instances previous confinement of having been in the
WOODS naked Tor days having been in the habit of rising
a! night and stealing out naked with little dog; and OF
the Digs weeping with her, because she SAID it
traced attention 10 OF continued train et in
OF conceving accurate views Of subject
or Of their effects; vion from this has been very
paru.l for exampeshe occasionally relates anecdote
or occurrence appare1ly correctly but this always has
been something that seemed have formerly strong
impression upon her either pleasureabe ohsrwise
and also could repeat several OF the commandment
could tell that truth and kindness good and false
hood and cruelty hadbut more with simplicity of child
than the understanding Of adult, showing that she
was incapable ofthe reflection sprnging from the
else Of due development condition Of the DO
ers Of consciousness and inteecon s7ch option
memory association OF ideas and judgment. which
the rational TO action and which of necessity
regulate our duties society or these she
gave TO my mind unequvocal proof Of deficiency and de-
Tangement From these facts and circumstances, have
arrived az the conclusion that Mrs. Gmour labors
prtia' ftae OF dementia displaying confusion aud de-
anRement ofthe understanding, and Of acts the
WILL either arising from natural causes he result Of
eXcessv. and proIracted attention to single object as
might be to the unhappy situation in which she is
placed. With regard to her silence regarding her mar
age ana tue death OF her husband it may be proper TO
remark that could draw nothing from that circumstance
- beng common Tor insane persons more particularly to
forget such Subjects the long attention 10 which has pro-
paby csused their mental arrangement.
We have been the more DESTROYS TO present these
views because they coincide precisely with own,
which we have all along expressed. We shall
watch with great Interest the progress Of this CASE
The final result of the application for the surrender
ol the prisoner is exceedingly important. But we
stated our views so fully this point yesterday,
that We need not now dwell on that point
Protection OF OUR CITIzENs-One OF the best
illustrations which can possibly be afforded of the
utter absence Of all protection from our Police sys-
TEN, for the citizens OF this great city, occurred last
night ia Fulton street, near Broadway. Mr. Teme-
guo, the proprietor of a spirit and confectionery
store, Was savagely assaulted by Spaniard, with
whom ne had had some previous conversation, of
The Purport OF which we no, informed, near bis