The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-14
HER BODY FOR DISSECTION.
MISS ELIz1BETH r. BRdNSONs VERY
EMIRkfBLE WILL.
Desiring that her Skeleton he Hung In the
Medical College for Women-tn Since she
was once Poisoned In u Cincinnati Hotel.

Medical College for Women-IiI Since she
was once Poisoned In n Cincinnati Hotel
In tho New York Medical College and Hos
pital for Women nn autopsy on the body OF Miss
Elizabeth r. Dranson was made under peculiar
circumstances yesterday. About nine months
ago Mrs. DIR. G. s. Lozicr. one OF the founders OF
tho college. received Il letter from Miss Bran
son. who asked to be received NJ n free patient
in tho college. enumcrating some OF the char
ncteristics OF her disease. and Offering. as an
induccmont. to permit her body, after her death.
to be dissccted for the benefit OF science. She
wns then in Philadelphia Mrs. Lozer. having
received many applications for free beds. was
obliged to reply that the institution could not
take any more free patients. She said that the
value Of her body for dissection would be no
adequate compensation. because. under the
laws Of the State. subjects are provided from
the unclaimed dead in the hospitals at the low
rate of IS each Several months afterward Mrs.
Lozler received word from DR.. Holbrook
OF Laight street that Miss Branson had
decided TO enter the hospital, and
that her friends would deiray the necessary ex-
penses. Miss Branson came to New York about
seven weeks ago and remained In the hospital
until Tuesday last. when she died. Hor story
was that she was the daughter OF Isaiah Bran
son. Quaker. OF Chelsea Wayne County. Indi-
ana. She was about 40 yenrs of age At the
age Of % she was one Of number Of guests who
were poisoned in hotel in Cincinnati. From
that time she dnted her Illness. and for twenty
six years she had had abscesses and cancers
Her suflerirgs caused her T. study medicine.
mn, nnn b2r i0nF tn9 she sHpporIed herself Py
Boston in 1870 with DIR. Dio Lewis. and Mt tho
Centennial Exhibition in 1876. in attending the
Butler health lifting cure. but gradually the
exertion became too great for her and she was
obliged 70 desist. She was fully aware. on enter
ing the hospital, thnt she had an ncurablc can
Ger; she was OF medium stature and build.
with u nigh. intellectual forehead. dark-bue
eyes and chestnut hair. She won the affections
ot all who went near her. Mrs. Llzer says
that In all her practice sho never met woman
with more heroic fortitudc undcr cXcruciating
! pain. Every minute of the last few months
| that she was not under the influences Of anws-
| thetlcs she was in agony. and yet she smiled.
sSgsTe9u m & tnat she was E!NihG frouole hnd 9eh
| About month ago Mrs Lozer was surprised
| by receiving from Miss Branson n document
| which she snid was her will. On exam, inaton.
| It proved 10 be- the gift of her body for dssec-
ton for the benefit OF the college. The will
reads as follows:
i Elizabeth Branson. late OF Lebanon, Ohio, now ot
& New rerS ORR Sity neins o. sound mind and memary AMI
declare III, 10 t my last Nil and testament
| the disposition Of my body. A. follows
Women. OF which cemencc Ioncr. " D. Is rrc ,iien,
lcse NAV designate The following Use suggest First
That iull examination OF the diseased parts be made
wish 10 nvc,usaic stcoi-rhat alter examination he
holN Oi~~ctcN lot tht U'neft ui the students
college Thiri-That tic skeleton be- wcl mounted and
then preserved for tc o said college and it. students
thereby apVoint ccucncc ioAcr. NJ. D. as above,
si,r her fu pHcrs any authority 10 a"t whog, living
any bond. .r waiting for any legal iormaities EXCEPT
Yck iS a. are absolutely demanded ' the statutes 0 Ne"
In making this bequesi actuaed solely by the love
Of science and desire 10 contribute tnts progress
In witness whereof have hcrcunio .a,,elitcd my
ErzArrru r BRASsoS. ND.
h,a afs nNt, fa In, ft.1f l.,1I
| and the witnesses are Charles s. Royce and
NJ. l.. Hoibrook, who append the following:
sab,crinsd by Liih'sctl r. Bran.on tie 'cstarix
w. s az ils ung %, m,si1s ,1c, scrigi;o and ne
i, her la., WI and ,'lacut Zach Of us have. AZ tbs
CuanLt~S : Rorcl. Norwalk Ohin
Several wecks before her death, Miss Dranson
talked with romposure Of the will that she had
made. ana SPOKE of the benefit To- tho college
! the dissection of her body.
In obedience = her request, those who had
| Prof. Carmichael. Prof. Danlprth. Prof. Dillon
q the faculty. DR.. Hllis. Or. Mary Brinckmann.
| Or. Hollroo and DR.. Royce. were thirty stu
Mss bEa&sos & 0stNy her deyo,on so % 10 the E sci
ence Of medicine. and had heard her dying
| done 80 much Tor me-"
Whether that part Of the will requiring tho
| skeleton 10 be- prepared and presented 10 the
college shall be carried into eject is a matter Of
| doubt, because there is no money To dciray
! the tNponse, unless some one volunteers 10 pay
| for il.
| The heavy mortgage on the hospital property
! at Thirty seventh street and Lexington avenue
| Is held 10y the Steinways. and II II feared that
| the decline in real estate that has swainprd 30
| many private fortunes will reach the hos pital.
\ similar disposition was nade by DR.. War
| rem Of Boston 10 the Institution in which he was
professor. Mrs. Lozier said that she had
| often contemplated disposine of her own body,
and that she had argued tho subject with her
son, Or 4. W. LoZier. and his wife. DR.. j. de In
| Monlagnic Lpzicr, VINO were rather opposed to
| n. II la hniil fhAn cInlnAflnnN " Ahn snll.