The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-07
THE CONIUM CASE.
PosT-MoRTEM EXAMINATION or MR. WALKERS
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PosT-loRTEM EXAMINATION or Mr.. WALKERS
BoDY-soME or ITS RESULTS.
The cause OF the death Of Mr.. +. w. Walker IL
not likely 10 be definitely known unit a week or
more goes by, nor is 1t likely to be announced
until 1t has been proved by accurate tnvestiga
tion. In the meantime speculation is and must
continue 10 be rife as TO what the cause really was
Thecrcumstances o the decease OF the unfortunate
gentleman give the widest latitude for speculation
and physicians and others not versed in medicine
boldly enter the held. The latter express their
opinions openly aud decidedly. while the former
discuss their theories only in their own ci Giles.
Though 1t Is certain that many physicians feel as
sured that the conium was the single cause OF
Mr.. Walkers death, they do not seem TO be
wiling to openly assert it as positive con-
cluslon. Throwing out OF view the tact that
but lew medical men are even
slightly acquainted with the effects OF the drug,
and so do not leel as mucn at liberty in forming
an opinion as a non.proiesslonal does, there
appears 10 be a sentiment, rule OF etiquette, so
to speak. in the deal profession which deoars
physicians from openly crlticsing the methods OF
practice OF their fellows. When q case such as
the present occurs in which there IS bare pos
slbiity that physician may have committed
an error OF judgment, every other medical man
resolusely closes hts mouth, and. Tor fear OF being
considered discourteous, relralns from saying any
thing on the subject. The writer tried yesterday
to obtain some expressions Of opinion from quite
a number OF doctors, but not one OF them was
found Wiling 10 refer to the probable cause OF the
death or Mr.. Walker. Not one or them had ever, it
seemed, USED conium in his practice and
when asked what they knew OF the ef-
iects OF the drug they one and all re-
ferred the questIoner 10 the pages Of the
"United States Dispensatory" There was re-
marEaoe unanimity OF opinion TO the effect
that $50 mnims Of DR.. Squibb's extract OF conium
1.-THE amount which MI. Walker took), ought not
70 kill healthy man OF his bald. Yet, wnen the
idea that the $50 drops which the deceased gentle-
man had previously taken mad remained latent
until excited by The second series o. doses
was broached, no medical gentleman would e&-
press his opinion on the subject. All leit then
that 1t is necessary 10 await until the results OF
the post-mortem examination are pu0lshed, be-
tore expressing dehnve opinion. This exam
nation was begun al noon yesterdaf, ia tue
late residence OF the deceased gentleman No. 500
State street. Brooklyn There were present at
the dissection number OF medical men,
several OF whom are members OF the jury. None
but tue medical gentlemen were admitted. Or.
Shaw male the examination Tor Coroner Simms,
Brooklyn assisted him. The autopsy ended
yesterday and some OF the organs o the deceased
taksn Wnat p was c 81 Inc
examinati ton so FAR 1t went could
not be learned precisely. Coroner Slmms said
tnat he did not know himself. ana tnat II he mad
known it would be Impossible Tor him TO state the
results until after the were sworn TO ana pre-
did discover in part what was done at
the autopsy. In conversation Win member
oil Mr.. Walkers family he vas informed thai The
doctors had drst examined toe deceased gentle-
mans brains aud had lound evidences VI harmful
effects upou lt, out whether THESE were the result
or disease OF the treatment OF PHYSICIANS could
not be immedia ely determined. TIE trunk o. the
body was aterward examined, ana the heart
was found to be healthy, but the lungs
greatly congested. fhe gentleman who Impaired
TINS In ormatlon was certain that his relative,
Mr.. walker. HAD been Killed through tue careless
ness oil his physician. ''Whv,n sad he '.ust looK
at the facts. His PHYSICIAN gave him a drug
wnlcn ought only 10 be administered in the pres
fects aud ready TO pronDlt the patent rom
taGlng any OF 1t alter the desired symp-
toms were produced. Yet they permitted
nlm 70 take this med cine In the essence rely
oil his wife. who knew nothing al all about ITS
effects. They say now that tie dose he took
ought not to KILT a man Ike him, but they leave
out OF question the quantity Of conlum wnlca
MIR. Walker took before ne came nOme.0
THIS gentleman appears TO express the senti-
ment OF the more intimate relations Of Mr. Walk
er's family. After leaving hin the writer met
another gentleman who was NJ the autopsy,
and procured IRON him some further IN
teman did not remain, however, after
the brain was examined. lie said tnat this organ
was very large. and proved, Of itsel. that Its
owner was man OF extraordinary Intelligence.
Its base. ne SAID was slightly marked, either By
disease or by the erects or conlum. which re.
mains 70 be determined BY q mlcroscoplcal exam
inalion TO be made Dv Or. shaw.
The funeral OF Mr.. Walker will take place at two
O'Clock to-day from 81. Peters churca.