The Democratic advocate., 1866-07-12
The Deering Murdcr--A SurgiS
cal Lecture Over the Dead
BOdy Of PrObsf.

The Deering Murdcr--A Surgi~
cal Lecture over the Dead
BODY OF Probsf.
From the Phil North An,eyican, June 10.
An autopsy of the executed murderer
Probst was made in the clinic room of
Jefferson Medical College on Saturday
afternoon, in the presence Of as many
persons as the apartment would contain,
all of whom we're present by invitation,
and most of whom were members of the
medical profession.
The occasion was thesubject of lee.
ture by Prof Pancoast, son of the vete-
ran Professor, now unfortunately suffer-
ing badly from inflammation of the eyes,
and not able to be present. The lee
ture and the operation lasted for two
hours, and was to the medical students
and physicians assembled an occasion of
special interest.
The body, dark and discolorcd at the
cxtrcmities, was placed upon revolving
table in the centre Of the amphithcatre.
The professors occupied the nearest
seats, and up to the highest bench every
inch Of room was filed. The result of
the examination showed that, aside from
ignominy, the manner of Probst's death
produced but one single pang. He
died not from congestion, from asphixie,
or from the fracture Of the yertebrm 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 that the construction was
only around portion Of the neck
There was no laccration of the structures
or the tissues disccrniblc when the neck
was opened. The jugular was disten-
ded with blood. The weight ofthc man
was l7G pounds, and the surgeons ex-
pected that fall Of his body three feet
and half would have sundered every
part in this locality. Not even the del.
icatc veins were injured.
The cavity Of the chest being exam
fuedi showed muscular development to
a high degree, aud the presence of Stra-
Ia Of fat. Death was not caused by
want Of air. for the lungs were fully dis
tended, aud even perfectly healthy in
appearance aud the right side of tho
heart, usually congested under these
circumstances Of death, was found in its.
natural condition. The digestion was
perfect Though the prisoner had
breakfastod upon bread and butter, with
two boiled eggs, the whole were found
to have been absorbed, and the stomach.
absolutely empty.
The brain was healthy, but Of less
than average size. Its weight was
thirty six ounces that Of Green, the
Maiden murderer, was four ounces less.
Looking over the whole ground, the
young Professor pointed out the inevi--
table conclusion that Probst died from
the nervous shock resulting from. the
flll, aud from the compression of the
nerves and arteries. The demonstrator
took occasion to say that he considered
the size Of the brain as having no bear
ing upon the question of intclligcnce.or
its opposite.
In the course Of the lecture DIR, Pan
coast narrated some interesting anec-
dotes. lie said that it was important to
have these examinations, in order to
advance the cause Of science.
The country will be at no cost for in
tcrment of this murderer. His skeleton
will be mounted and wired, and will be
preserved foreyerin the anatomical mus
cum of Jefferson College.