The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-06-21
a Surgical lecture over the
Dead Body OF PrObst,

An autopsy Of the body of the executed
murderer HrobSt was made in the clinic
room of Jefferson Medical College on Sat
urday afternoon, in the presence of as
many persons az the department would
contain, all Of whom were present by in
vitation, and most of whom were members
of the medical profession
The occasion was the subject of a lee.
ture by Professor Paneoast, son to the
veteran professor, now unfortunately suf-
tering badly from inflammation of the
eyes, and not able to be present. The
lecture and the operation lasted for two
hours, and was to the medical students
anG physicians assembled an occasion Of
special interest.
The body, dark and discolored at the
extrcmitles, was placed upon revolving
table In the center of the amphitheatre.
The professors occupied the nearest seats,
and up to the highest bench every inch of
room was filed. The result Of the exam
lnatlon showed that, aside from its igno-
miny, the manner of Probst's death pro-
duced but one single pang. He died not
from congestion, from asphyxia, or from
the fracture Of the vertebr8 of the neck:
he died from an immense shock, that
shattered in an instant the entire nervous
system. There was a livid mark around
the neck made by the rope. Where the
knot had been there was no discoloration
whatever, and this showed the construction
was only around the portion of the neck
There was no laceration Of the structures
OF the tissues discernible when the neck
was opened. The jugular was distended
with blood. The weight of the man was
one hundred AID sevehty-six pounds, and
the surgeons expected that a fall of his
body three feet and half would have
sundered every part in this locality
Not even the delicate veins were In iured.
The cavity of the chest being examined
showed muscular development to high
degree, and the presence Of strata Of fat.
Death was not caused by want of air, for
the lungs were fully distended and per-
fectly healthy ia appearance, and the right
side of the heart, usually congested under
these circumstances of death, was found
in its natural condition. The digestion
was perfect. Though the prisoner had
breakfasted upon bread and butter with
two boiled eggs, the whole were found to
have been absorbed, and the stomach was
absolutely empty.
The brain was healthy, but of less than
average size. It's weight was thirty-six
ounces that of Green, the Maiden mur-
derer, was four ounces less. Looking over
the whole ground, the young professor
pointed out the inevitable conclusion that
probst died from the nervous shock re-
sulting from the fall, and from the COM
preston OF the nerves and arteries. The
demonstrator took occasion here to say
that he considered the size of the brain as
having no bearing upon the question of
intelligence or its opposite.
In the course of the lecture DR.. Pan
coast narrated some interesting anecdotes.
He said that it was necessary to have
these examinations in order to advance the
cause of science
The country will be at no cost for the
interment of this murderer. His skeleton
will be preserved forever in the anatomic-
al museum OF Jefferson College.-Philaa.
Neios.