The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-05
POISONED BY HEMLOCK.

FATAL RESULT OF BROOKLYN PROFESSOR
DEVOTION TO scIENcE-HIs DYING STATEMENT.
The particulars Of q very singular case OF poison
ing by hemock were developed in Brooklyn yes
terday the victim being Professor F. w. Walker, a
well known scientist, who was victim TO his own
devotion to an investigation OF the methods OF
treating nervous diseases. Professor i. w. Walker
was proprietor OF the Eclectic Baths. at No. 300
State street, and had Tor long time suffered from
spasmodic contortiOns OF the muscles OF the lace.
and had teen treated by DR.. Brown-Sequard, OF
New York. who Is now in Europe. The strychntne
treatment first applied, but without
success. Professor Walker taen placed him.
self uuder the treatment of Professors
Agnew and Webster, and they adopted
the method OF Professor John Harley, Of st.
Thomas Hospital. In London. which IS the use OF
conum. or tue nuid extract OF hemlock On
Saturday he visited DR.. Agnew's oflce, In New
YORK, where the drug was used. but with no salts
factory result. AS Professor walker was leaving
the ONCE the physician instructed him TO procure
some or Professor Squibb's nuid extract Of hem
lock and take ntty drops at dose. The Doctor
described TO his patient what symptoms would
appear on his taxing the dose. Professor Walker
then visited DR.. sq1ibb's mandatory in
Doughty street, Brooklyn, ana procured an
ounce vial of conium. Returning to his
home he began taking the medicine, but
the third dose resulted IN bis death. he ook the
first dose on Saturday afternoon. ana Immediately
afterward instructed his vile to SIT by his side
with writing materials and note his symptoms as
he detected them. He then dictated the follow.
ing, ana continued his description Till he died.
A DYING MANS MEMORANDA.
"At ten minutes past tour p NJ. nifty mintms
Squlbo's extract OF conium. Twenty minutes to
auons OF the muscles and limbs; n.ty minims more
then taken and lmmediatey dificulty Of walking
a war q ~
TO lie down, Tut no mitigation oil epasm; limbs
weak, unable 10 hold up the head, speech
thlckening some, pain and heavings in TOD and
back Of the mead, pulse nity-six. Fifteen minutes
past i've r. NJ. took nifty drops some nausea. some
Lremor at base or claytce and in muscles across
the chest; no dimlnution OF spasms about the
eyes, more OF pnotopnooa dislike OF light. Twen-
ty-nve minutes past five r. NJ, drowsiness, in
clined TO sleep. twenty minutes to SIX 7. NJ, eyes
difficult 70 open and speech difncult dinculty In
double signtednessJ vastly increased. Ten min.
utes past six =. NJ, nausea, twitchtngs on right
SIDE, unable % arteu.aie eyes closed: inine n.
sixty, In TACT sIx-walerl water waterl"
MS TRAGIC DEATH.
These were tue Professors last words his
vile. seeing that he was dying, left the room TO
get some conee, and when she returned he was
dead. Dr. Gll1lln was summoned, but was 100
late TO render any assistance. Professor Walker
dled OF paralysis Of the spinal marrow.
Previous to his death lie stated that before he
lett DR.. Agnew's once the Doctor told MIN that he
might expect all those symptoms. Coroner Slmms
says thas we tniro dose was tne cause q lne "a.
very deliberate, and said to mis- vile, Take
down just as l dictate" Coroner Simms
was notified OF the case yesterday, and
part partner Responded. and SAID hat pT. AgneT
was very busy, but would come II wanted. Pro-
lessor Walker mad been treated by Dr. Agnew for
several months. When his case was IN the hands
OF DR.. Brown-SeQuard the knile was used, but 10
no purpose.
PROFESSOR WALKERS EvKSTFUL LIFE.
Professor walker was gixty-nye years OF age,
and mas resided In Brooklyn but snort time,
having previously resided at Plalnneid, N. J. lie
was al one time the washington correspondent or
the New YORK Express, am was intimate with ex-
President Johnson. lie was one o. the persons
poisoned at the National Hotel, Washington, on
the occasion 81 the inauguration Of President
Buchanan IN 1851. During tue rebellion lie was
commissioned by General Mansneli TO 40 10
1 the village oil ~ b. In Charles county, Mary
land 70 capture Confederate spy named EInack.
With me assistance Of regiment o cavary he
captured his mao. Emack escaped, ana In DONG
81 STABBED Professor walker 10 toe abdomen, in-
nictIug a wound from which he only recovered
after long stay In the hospital TINS Emack was
afterwaru placed in command oil Libby Prison,
and was known as sBowlc Knle Emacg.r since
then Professor Walker neld several positions
under the government.
In 1871 ne was knocked down by a br1ck in vii.
ham street. New YORK, and his face was badly
cut. THIS accident caused the disease OF the ace
! which resulted In his death. Coroner slmms
! VIII hold the inquest to-day. numDer or prOmi.
nent scientists have Decn summoned A. wit
nessea.