Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-08
DRINKING HEMLOCK.
Fatal Devotion 10 misunderstanding
Finale OF "a Remarkable Career.
NJ y-1-1- Hold

The PAR icullrs Of ! very singular case of
poisoning by heml0ck were developed in
Brooklyn yesterday, the victim being PIOf.
+. W. Walker, q well known scientist, who
was 4 victim to his own devotion to al in
vestigatiOn Of the methods of treating
nervous diseases. Prof 7. ". Walker wa
proprietor OF the Eclectic Baths, at No. 800
State street, ant had for a long time suf-
fered from spasmOdiC COntOTtiOns Of the
muscles Of the face, and had been treated
by DR.. BrOwn-Sequard, Of New York, who
is now In Europe. The strychnine treat
ment was first applied, but without sue
cess. Prof. WcIker then placed himself
under t!e treatment o. Irnis. Agrcw
and Webster, and they adopted the
method Of Prof John Harley, Of St.
Thomas Hospital, in London, which is the
use Of conium, or the fluid extract Of hem
lock. On Saturday he visited DR.. Agnew's
Office, IN New YORK, where the drug was
used, but with no satisfactory result. As
Professor Walker was leaving the office the
physician instructed him to secure some
Of Professor Sqibbu's Euid extract
OF hsmlOck and take tifv drops
at a dose. Tie Doctor described to
his patient what symptoms would
appear on his taking the COse. Professor
Walker then visited DR.. SqUibb's manufac-
tory in Doughty st, Brooklyn, and procured
an ounce vial Of c0nium. Returning 20 his
home he began taking the medicine, but
the third dose resulted in his death. He
took the first dose on Saturday afternoon,
and Immediately afterWard instructed his
wife to sit by his side with writing mate
reals and note his symptoms as he detected
them. He then dictated the following, and
continued his description till he died:
A DYING MANS MEMORANDA.
CAT ten minutes past p. n. fifty minims
Squibb's extract Of cOnium. Twenty min
utes to p. NJ, eject very decided-dizzi-
ness and r6laxatiOps Of the muscles and
limbs; fifty minims more then taken, and
Immediately difficulty Of walking and want
Of power TO control movements; forced 10
lie down, but 10 mitigation Of spasm;
limbs weak, unable to hold up the head,
speech thickening some, pain and heavings
in top and back Of the head, pulse fifty six.
Fifteen minutes past ) p. NJ, took fifty
drops, some nausea. some tremOr at base Of
clavicle and in muscles across the chest; no
diminutiOu of spasms about the eyes, more
Of phOtephObia dislike Of light. Twenty
FIVE minutes past T.. II, drOwsiness, iu-
clined to sleep. Twenty minutes 20 8 p.
NJ, eyes difficult 10 open and speech diff
cult; difficulty in the throat, pTOstrsti0n
nearly complete; dipiOp.a double sighted
ness) vastly increased. Ten minutes past
GP. NJ, nausea, twitching on right side, TN
able 10 articulate, eyes closed, fulness Al
most to sufOcaiiOn in the throat, pulse
about sixty, in fact, six-water! water!
water
MS TRAGIC DEATH.
These were the Professors last words.
His wife, seeing that he was dying, left the
room to get some coffee, and when she re-
turned be was dead. DIR. Gilfllin was
summoned, but was too late 10 render any
assistance. Prof. Walker Gied Of paralysis
ef the spinal marrow.
Previous 20 his death he stated thai be-
fore he lefl DIR. Agnew's Office the Doctor
told bin that he might expect all those
symptoms. Coroner Simms says that the
third dose was the cause Of the fatality.
The Professor, while taking the drug, was
very deliberate, and said TO his wife, "Take
doTn Just rs / dic.ate.n Coroner Simms
was notified Of the ease yesterday, AID sent
for DR.. Agnew. DR.. Webster, his partner,
responded, and said that AgneW was very
busy. buf would come if wanted. Prof.
Walker lad been treated by DIR. Agnew for
several months. When his case was in the
hands Of DR.. BrOWn-sequard the knife was
used, but tO no purpose.
PROFESSOR WALKEIss EvENTFUL LIFE.
Professor Walker was siNty-hve year, OF
ace. and has iesided in Brooklyn but
short time, having previously resided at
Plainfeld, n. j. lie was at one time the
Washington correspondent Ofthe Ne'g York