The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-25

SINGULAR CASE BEFORE THE COURT OF QUEENS
BENCH-rRICEED WITH NEEDLES AND TOR
TuREp WITH GALvAS1C DATTERIES-PRISoN
LIFE IN ENGLAND.
At the Bail Court, in London, before Mr..
Justice Blackburn. bIr. Justice Quain and
Mr.. Justice Archibald, the Attorney-General
and Mr. Bowen appeared to show cause why
criminal information should not be filed
against John Henry Parker Wilson, who is
the medical officer Of the convict prison at
Woking and late assistant surgeon at the
convict prison Mibank, and against Dr. John
Burns, of the Chatham convict prison, for
having cruelty il-treated a Fenian prisoner
named Daniel Reading.
Readings affidavit, which was read by
Mr.. Brown, stated that he was in NoVem-
Der, 1867, convicted at Manchester and SEN
fenced to five years penal servitude. In
November, 1867, he was conveyed to Mil
bank prison, where he remained until the
10th Of July, 1868. when he was removed to
Chatham, where he rrmlinnd until March,
1872. In that month n = brought again
to Milbank. and remained until the 5th of
October, 1872, when he was discharged
During the first part OF bis confinement at
Milbank he was placed under punishment
and kept upon bread and water. On being
brought back from Chatham to Milbauk he
was placed in the solitary cell in the in
Urinary. On the following morning the
medical officer of the prison, accompanied
by Mr.. Wilson, went to see him, and
commenced pricking his feet with needles.
They continued to do so for about an
hour when Mr.. Wilson caught hold of his
foot and pulled him out Of bed. He was
then dragged into the surgery, where gal
vanic battery was applied to different parts
of the body, causing intense pain. Ropes
were then tied round his legs and pulled al
| tcrnately, making bis legs move in imitation
of walking. On the next day the treatment
| was repeated, when the pain was so great
| that he screamed out. A towel was there
upon rammed into his mouth, and he was
then lifted up by two powerful men
and let drop upon the bed. He was
afterwards placed in cold bath, and
his head held under water by the warders
feet until he became insensibe. When
he recovered he found himself lying
upon the floor. He was afterwards
dragged out by two men, when Mr.. wilson
struck him in the stomach until he Vomlteo,
when he told the warders to wipe up the
discharge with the prisoners face. In Au'
Gust he was removed to the solitary cell,
and kept there until September without
bed. He complained of this treatment to
the doctor, who ordered his removal to other
quarters. His limbs were paralyzed, and be
was unable to walk without assistance, and
therefore could not comply with the order.
| The atfidayits of the medical officers denied
these cruelties, and, with the exception Of
DR.. Steele. they were of the opinion that the
prisoner had feigned paralysis. DIR. Steele
| thought there were symptoms Of paralysis
| in the lower limbs. The other officers swore
that the prisoner was treated with kindness
and courtesy. The Acknowledgement ap-
neared in the case and said 1t was creditablei
| that DR.. Steele and DR.. Burns should differ
as TO the medical merits of the case, but he
maintained that malingering was common
with convicts.
Mr.. Matthews, for the re!ator, contended
that DR.. O'Leary's affidavit ON behalf OF the
prisoner was sustained by the evidence OF
Dr. Steele. and that many charges put for
ward by the prisoner were uncontraa,ceed.
MIR. Russell thought the case ol suihcieht
importance to 60 before jury.
Justice Blackburn discharged the motlon,
which decision was concurred 40 ny M.
Justice Quain and Mr. Justice Arehtbaid.
The ground Of the decision was that tnefe
| was no foundation for the statements as con-
tained in the affidavit Of the relator, Wneh
compared with the evidence OF the prison
officials. ~ : /