The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-22
Drinking Hemlock.
Fatal Devotion to scfenee-StartIIng
Finale OF a Remarkable Career.

Fatal Devotion to scfenee-StartIIng
Finale of a Remarkable Career.
The particulars of a very singular
case of poisoning by hemlock were de-
veloped in Brooklyn yesterday, the
victim being Prof. T. W. Walker, a we'll
known scientist, who was victim to his
own devotion to an investigation of the
methods of treating nervous diseases.
Prof. +. W. Walker was proprietor of
the Eclectic baths, at No. 800 State
street, and had for long time suffered
from spasmodic contortions of the mus
cles of the face. and had been treated
by DIR. Brown-Sequard, of New York,
who is now in Europe. The strychnine
treatment was first applied, but without
success. Prof. Walker then placed
himself under the treatment of Prof's.
Agnew 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 ext t~.ct
of hemlock. On Saturday he viz
Mr.. Agnew's office, where the drug US
used, but with no satisfactory result.
AS Prof. Walker was leaving the Office
the physician instructed him to secure
some of Prof. Squib's fluid extract of
hemlock and take fifty drops at dose.
The doctor described to his patient
what symptoms would appear on his
taking the dose. Prof. Walker then
visited DR.. Squib's manufactOry in
Doughty street, Brooklyn, and procured
an ounce vial of conium. Returning
to his home he began taking the medi-
cine, but the third dose resulted in his
death. He took the first dose on Sat
urdav afternoon, and Immediately after
ward instructed his wife to sit by his
side with writing materials and note
his symptoms as he detected them. He
then dictated the following, and con-
tinued his description till he died:
A DYING MANS MEMORANDA.
At ten minutes past 4 p. N. fifty
minims Squibb's extract of conium.
Twenty minutes to p. m, effect very
Observation-Disclosures and relaxations of
the muscles and limbs fifsy minims
more then taken, and Immediately diff
ficulty of walking and want of power
to control movements forced to lie
down but no 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 5 D. M, took fifty drops, some
| tremor at base of clavicle and IN mus
cles across the chest no diminutiOn OF
spasms about the eyes, more of photo
/ phobia Dislike of light. Twenty-Five
/ minutes past 8 p. M, drowsinesss In
elined to sleep. Twenty minutes to
D. M eyes difficult to open and speech
| dificnlt; difficult In the throat, prostra-
ton nearly complete dipiopia double
si6htedness) vastly increased. Ten
minutes past 6 p. m, nausea, twitching
on right side, unable to aFticulate,
| eyes closed, fulness almost to suffoca-
tiOn in the threat, pulse about sixty, in
/ fact six-water water water
HIS TRAGIC DEATH.
These were the Professors last
words. His wife seeing that he wsa
diving, left the room to get some eof-
| fee, and when she returned he was
| dead. DR.. Gilfllin was summoned,
| but was too late to render any assist
ance. Prof. Walker died of paralysis
of the spinal marrow.
Previous TO his death he stated that
before he left DR.. Agnew's Office the
! doctor told him that he might expect
| all those symptoms. Coroner Simmf
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 down Just
as / dictate" Coroner Simms was no
tilted OF the case yesterday, and sent
for DIR. Agnew. DR.. Webster, his part
ner, responded, and said that AgneE
was very busy, but would come i
| wanted. Pro. Walker had been treated
| by DR.. AgneW for several months
When his case was In the hands Of DR.
Brown -Sequard the knife was used
| but to 10 purpose.-N. =. Herald.