The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-17

Different chemists nave OlHerenC rules tor
making it-and the strength will vary accord
ing to the rule followed Cannot say whether
the books speak of the fam made by cyanitir
gas as purple or red rose fame. Witness is
familiar with the appearance of the flame.
Made the experiment about 8 o'clock in the.
afternoon on the contents of the bottle-room.
has four large windows. Hydrocianic acid
may be found in several places which witness
knows nothing about Has seen experiments
on human or animal bodies before to detect
prussic acid. In examining the bodies of an
| imals witness took it for granted that the
death was occasioned by prussic acid. Knows,
that the poison which he administered to ami.
mails went into the stomach and not into the
lungs. Witness applied to portion OF the
contents of the stomach drop of nitric acid.
| to ascertain if morphia was present, but found
no indication. If he had found any such in
dication, he should have proceeded to thor
ough test whether morphia was in the stom-
ach.
! Direct examination resun,ea.--Witness pour
ed in the contents of the bottle a small por-
ton of fat pork, Of potato. and BEANS There
was about pint in all. Perceived nothing Of
an animal nature except the pork. The dis
lance between the cutting table and the stair
way was about 3 feet inches.
| Prof. l.. gave further explanations Of the
position of shelves, furniture, &c., in the pris-
oner's Office, and of the localities around the
Office, as they appear on the plans.
| Various questions were asked of Prot. l.. by
the prisoners counsel, as to what the books
say, whether certain expressions were to be
found in the books, &C., intended probably to
test the witness knowledge of scientific books,
all of which he answered without hesitation
But it is not practicable to report the ques-
| md ,ptol ;r;b fhoy ho.
of immediate importance to the trial.
| DR.. Samael Plaisted sworn. Saw the body
of VI athews on Friday about 9 o'clock. 1t
then lay in shed near Williams tavern
Saw cut on the forehead and another on the
head. The skull was not fractured by these
cuts. In about Ave minutes I was called
away. In the AFTERNOON l again saw the body
in the hall at Williams, just before the in
quest. l then saw another cut, further back,
which had been hidden by the hair, There
was in this cut depression Of the bone. The
head had been partially washed, and some
blood removed. The depression was perhaps
half an inch deep and two inches long. The
wound was not much swollen, not much blood
then on it. Witness was present when the
contents of the stomach were removed
Thinks DR.. Coolidge removed the stomach
There was about pint of semi-huid substance.
Cannot say of what description. Cannot say
that there was any examination of contents OF
the stomach at that time. Did not then OBJ
serve any other wound. On Saturday exam
ined it again. There We're present Prof.
LOOMS, DR.. Thayer, DR.. Boutelle, and Dr.
Noyes. We examined the head thorax and
lungs. We found the brain of a blush tinge,
emitting an odor Of pruss;c acid, and the veins
full Of blood. The extravasation of blood was
less than usual in cases of such wounds. The
lungs were much congested. The spleen and
liver exhibited blush tnge. The blood was
flowing in the veins which appeared to be
partly swelled. In taking out the lungs, liver
and spleen, the blood flowed freely into the
cavity of the abdomen, and quart or more
was dipped out to keep it free. Was present
when Prot. LOOMS received the contents of
the wash basin, took it across the street to-
witness Office and put it in bottle. Witness
observed several slight cuts on the thigh Of
deceased, just through the skin, some six in
ches long or more. Not much blood from
these wounds. His pantaloons were on when
witness first saw him.
Cross examination. The first examination
was Friday afternoon. The operations were
performed by Coolidge and Flint. The knives
were probably offered to the older physicians,
hut it is common for the younger physicians
to perform operations. Perceived an odor of
brandy from the contents of the stomach, but
no other peculiar oder. The wound on the
skull was enlarged to discover the extent of
the wound. The bone of the skull was brok-
en- by the wound. The coating of the stom-
ach was infamed in parts. Witness has seen
the coating of the stomach Of a person addict
ed to the use of ardent spirits-this was not
similar. There was no strong indication of
the habit of drinking brandy, but there was
an odor of brandy at the time. There was
not brandy enough in the stomach to produce
insensibility. The bowl was taken away b,
Mr.. Williams after it stood an hour or half an
hour. Mr.. w. asked if he should threw it
out. DR.. Thayer or DR.. Coolidge, one of