The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-01-29

the scalp and then took of the top of the
skull. | found an eifusion of blood un-
derneath the wound on the back OF the
head, between the outer membrane and
the skull. The vessel was ruptured
about one inch to one and halt inches
above he seat of the wound. The effu-
sion covered space of about two and a
half long and about two inches wide. L
examined the top of the skull. 1t pre-
sented a natural appearance, except. the
bruise on the wound. There was
bruised condition of the skull where the
wound was. The skin was supperated
where the wound was on the forehead
about two inches in diameter. After
taking off the top Of the skull l examined
the,., membranes or duramater, and it
seemed in natural condition, exceptsthe
rupture of the artery near the wound. |
then took off the outer membrane of the
brain. Between the outer and inner
membrane, just back Of the blow re-
ceived on the forehead, L found Jan effu-
sion OF serum, or watery mater. [ then
took off the inner membrane and exam
ined the brain externally. In pestern
part, between the two hemispheres, l
found small clot of blood,a little larger
than bean. l then took it out. The
brain then presented natural appear
ance, except the small clot of blood.
After examining the head l examined
wound on the neck. This was in. the
center Of the upper part Of the nech.
| On the outside there was discoloration
one-half to three-fourths of an inch in
diameter. 1 cut through the skin. The
muscles of the neck presented blush
appearance. The blood wBs effused
through the tissues between the.muscles
I then examined the bones of the neck
The cartilages seemed to be intact. L
thipk found evidence sufficient to cause
death-not Immediately, but in short
time. found one wound on the nech,
one on the uose, one on the forehead
aud one on the head. The wound on
the nose might have been done with a
fist or with some instrument. The blow
would produce, a shock. The blood
wonld run out of the nose and probably
outsof the mouth. I do not think the
blood would clog so as to produce strang-
ulation. The blow on the head might
have produced death if it produced the
effusion of blood I found inside.
1t might have'sbeen the wound on the
forehead that produced the eHusion in
side. The serum between the mem
branes of the brain was not over halt an
ounce. l cannot say whether the wound
that produced the serum would produce
death. 1t looked as though the artery
supplying the ear might have been rep
tured. | think his death was caused by
J conclusion and nervous prostration fol.
lowing. The loss Of blood might have
had something to do with it. Conclusion
of the brain was the cause of death
Loss of blood might have had tendency
to PROSTATE him more. TheYwound OIL
the throat might have been done by 6
| fist or foot. l cannot say how. There
was a rupture OF the capiilaries. The
blood on the back OF the head was from
an ARTERY. He was purging at the
mouth when I made the examination
It.was dark chocolate color.
Cross examiued--I could not say
? whether the wound on the neck woulc
cause death. 1t must have produced I
considerable shock to the nervous sys
> TEN. 1t would not cause death withou
a shock to the nervous system. do no
, think the wound on the nose would caus'
d death. The throat wound did not pre-
sent symptoms Of inflammation. The in
D famation might be manifested in abou
e twoshours, and from that to six hours
e The external effects of the wound Of
t the head would not cause death. The,
e might be supported by the internal in
] jury of conclusion of the brain. Con
c cussion is a jar or shock of the neryuo
e system of the brain It might be so vic
}. lent as to cause Instant death. Conclusion
d generally causes uncODsciousness. Tn
= blood vessels are frequently ruptured b
e conclusion. They may not be. l,,thin'
one or the other of the wounds on the hea
e rnptured the artery. This might hav
come from either blow. The skull wa
n not fractured. The dura mater is tn
;, outside covering, and the pia mater
d the inner membrane. There was nearl
1t one-half ounce of serum. 1t would caus
e some compression of the brain. TIL
it wounds on the head were sufficient
. cause the injury to the brain. Th
e cause Of death was probably shock
2. the nervous system by succession c
e blows. The wounds and the serum i
Is the SKULL would cause death in tim,
r. but not immediate death. The tv
# blows on the head, ir if received first, an
,e the blow on the throat and nose, II
,e ceived afterwards, might hasten deatl
,e The loss of blood from the blow On tn
d nose would have tendency to haste
,e death. A succession of blows, Meth,
ID one Of which was fatal, might produ'
d death. They would not be:fatal unle
Is the last blow produced unconsciounes
ii The blow on the throat would exhau
y. the vital powers by blood ar
as shocking the nervous system; the woun'
ID on the head would produce death soon
ty or later.
Is DR.. Adam O'Brien, sworn-l ha
practiced from eight to ten years. | "
ng the first physician sent for. live thr
ot miles and half from the place. l
y rived about FIVE o'clock. The man "
ot lying in the bar room dead. mere
examined the wounds externally. III
was on Thursday. / found cut on I