The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-18
BY SPECIAL EXPRESS!
TRIAL OF DIR. Y. p. COOLIDGE.
For the Murder of
EDWARD MATHEWS.
REPORTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR
"THE NORTHERN TRIBUNE."
SECOND DAY-CoNcLUDED.
Conclusion of DIR. Plaisteds testimony.

other bottles on the same side or the once
with the ones taken. There was a small vial
of prussic acid left by student in the office;
it was at the bottom of drawer not much
used. No other prussc acid in the Office
witness never bought, sold or used it. This
bottle was never on the shelf. Cannot say
that he detected the odor of prussic acid dis
tinctly in the stomach-did detect it in the
brain. There were three distinct marks on
the thigh The blow on the head might pro-
duce death, but not certainly; would produce
insens' blity at the time.
Doct. Moves sworn. First saw the body of
Mathews on Sunday morning, Prof. Loomis
Drs. Thayer, Plaisted and Boutelle, were
present. The Uranium was first opened
found fracture on the right side and some
depression, but no decorations or the investidg
membranes of the brin: no extravation of
blood. Found the blood vessels of the brain
turgid and gorged, of black tinge which he
had never before seen. Next opened the tho
TAX. On opening the chest, the lungs were
not collapsed, but appeared gorged with blood.
On removing the lungs. considerable q1anti-
ty of dark seml-fuid blood was poured out
into the cavity of the chest. The right cavity
of the heart was empty; the arteries we're al
so empty. The mucous membrane OF the
stomach could be easily snapped OFT with the
finger nail. An odor of prussic acid, or the
same that of prussic acid was obtained
from the brain and the stomach. That no.
ticed distinctly. The brain, liver, part of the
lungs. one kidney and gall bladder, were re-
moved for further examination. On Monday
examined the brain again it was somewhat
softencd. The syleen was highly gorged with
blood and purple. Discovered slight cuts on
the thigh. The eyes were considerably dilat-
ed. There were marks on the throat, like the
points of finger nails. the most on the left
side-marks on both sides. There was one
long cash on the thigh-not able to say If
there were others.
Cross examination. The wound in the groin
might have been such as to discharge blood !;
cannot say positively The wounds on the
head had been disturbed at previous eXami-
nation, and witness could not tell when he
saw them if they had been swelled. The
throat and windpipe were not examined. The
cavities of the heart were empty; think 1t
could not have arisen from the arteries having
been cut in the examination. Has never be-
fore been present at post mortem eXam1na-
tion when the death was caused by poison.
Has attended on examination when the death
was caused by apoplexy; there is a resem-
blance in some particulars The blood was
partly fluid. Does not recollect if the cavi-
ties of the heart were empty. The vessels OF
the brain were no: gorged in that case. Inc
W0EUlV appearances, dS utcHtiiAhCu Ia ooOFNoS
are generally uniform some exceptions re-
collects one Or two instances where the lungs
were collapsed. Prussic acid is kept by some
physicians, and by druggists generally it is
of different degrees OF strength as sold by
druggists.
Direct resumed. Saw the person die by
apoplexy, the post mortem examination OF
whose body he witnessed; saw no coagulum
of blood on the brain; no extravasation.
Doct. JOHN Hubbard sworn. The three prin-
cipal tests of prussic acid are, prussiate OF
iron, cyanite of copper, and cyanite OF silver.
In case of poison, the odor and other sensl-
BILE properties will throw light on the agent
producing the death. To those familiar with
the odor, it is as reliable as chemical tests.
No three witnesses testifying to the same
point, would be more reliable than the cheml-
cal tests. Witness would expect if an animal
or person died from prussic acid instantaneous
", the odor would be discovered in any of the
cavities of the body on opening it. Witness
refers to case where poison enough is adj
minstered to produce instant death. One
grain of concentrated acid would produce
death in one or two minutes; TINS would De
equal to fifty grains of the medicinal acid.
Would not expect to find the odorin the brain
so readily as in other pasts, because less vac
cutar. The general morbid appearance would
not be very dissimilar to those in some other
cases of sudden death if there is any differ
ence, it is in the peculiar blush hue given by
prussic acid to the parts. Witness has seen
experiments with pfussic acid on animals
producing instant death. The odor may be
discovered at least 81 hours after death, ac-
cording to witnesses observation. Six or sew
en- days after death, it has been discovered,
according to the authorities. Witness has
used prussic acid in his practice, but has not
kept it as a medicine fifteenth part of the
time of his medical life. Thinks medical men
generally do not keep or use it at all. Has
had occasion to administer it to only two or
&h~.o ,a+;o,ts. MT ~ ad moro than one ouu ce