The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-12-17
How Arsenic Kills.
from Testimony Of Dr. Pliny A. Jswet ia the Hayden
Murder Trial.
O. How does arsenic kill2

/ A.
Murder Trial.
@. How does arsenic killP
A. 1t kills by being absorbed in the
blood. It works in different ways. A
person might die from shock as with
symptoms of paralysis; the average
period a person will live is twenty -four
hours; they may die from Inflammation
of-bowels and reetum like dysenteric
condition; sometimes they die from
coma soon after taking it, and in that
Il the effect would be similar to that by
\ taking narcotics; two grains will kill,
but one and a half might; even an ounce
Y has been taken without producing death,
4 where the stomach pump has been
4 promptly used; more than two or three
n grains would be a waste of material in
i producing death; the more arsenic taken,
4 the more would reach the brain, and
4 death would be the sooner if 1t staid In
1 the stomach; there is one case on record
| where the poisonous effects were pro-
| duced while the victim was eating
cake in which arsenic had been placed;
/ if inflammation of the stomach existed,
| the putting in of arsenic would aggravate
/ the condition if arsenic were put into
an empty stomach it would produce in
/ tense pain and burning, and would cause
person to scream aloud unless he had
uncommon fOrtitude; at the first hearing
| you (Mr. Harrison) said you wanted me
| and DR.. White to examine for arsenic.
L Cross-examined by Mr.. Watrous-I
think the first effect of arsenic would be
on the stomach, and it Is the first effect
would be to make a person scream aloud;
1T might occur that a person after taking
arsenic would Immediately be unable to
speak loud word, or would soon be
dead; but it could not be told before
hand what the symptoms would be. IN
a large proportion of cases the loss of
voice does not occur at once. Much
would depend upon how much of the
arsenic would be dissolved, and the
rapidity of solution would depend upon
the contact with moisture in the stomach
and the heat. In few instances persons
have died Immediately from shocks to
the nervous system, producing paralysis
of the heart, and sometimes of the lungs. |
Arsenic would not produce immediate
death from shock, unless the conditions
were favorable, such as state of great
depression. "a
Q. VIII you tell in what way the
arsenic produces death?
/ A. No; don't propose to tell you for |
/ don't know; the profession may find it |
out in the future; we know that it affects |
the circulation and nervous system;
death ensues from loss of membrane of |
the stomach, in which case it would be !
secondary; in cases of arsenic eating, !
the patients, without exception, began
with very small doses; they get SO as to
take fifteen or eighteen grains with re-
freshing effect. CDR. Jewett told about
one old man who took twenty-eight
grains day9 SitFt s##s-~g $50
I @. Do you know whether he has any
mucous membrane left2 -s#
I A. He lived in Syria and was not
personally acquainted with him.
( Daughters Of the Rich.
I No class of women are more to be
pitied than the daughters of rich men,
who, having real force and energy Of
character, have no vent for it, because
fashion requires them to sit still and fold
their hands. 1t does not require this of |
their brothers. They are applauded
when they grow FESTIVE under it, and,
breaking their bonds, interest themselves
p a manly way in something besides
mere pleasure. But let a daughter try
I, and Immediately the. awful Mrs.
3rundy starts up and points to her wor-
ted dogs and cats, and her croquet
rounds, and her French dress-maker,
md bids the daughter of the millionaire
till her pulses and close her eyes and
airs to the possibilities, and think of
lothing but husband hunting. We
ever can know how many real heroines
re behind the wall of restriction till
that is called adverse" fate sets them
rec to stand upon their own feet, and
) useitheir own hands, and know their
Wn powers, which had been dwarfed al.
lost to extinction by inaction.