Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-14
GUiiFAU JUSTLY HANGED.
Results of the Microscopisal Examination
of his Brain-He had Clear Conception of
his Crime and of its Punishment.

PhllaGelpnla Medical News. sept. y.
We present to our readers in this issue
the report of the microscopists-Drs J. w.
S. Arnold, E. Q. Shakespeare, and j. C.
Mcconnell whom was assigned the i'm
portant task OF the microscopical examina-
ton OF Guiteau's brain. The gentlemen who
have performed this duty are too we'll
known as experts in this department of
science to require word of support or
vindication from us. The subject has
been approached in a judicial temper, the
examination has been made without preiu-
dice, and the conclusions are stated with
fairness. In our remarks on the previous
report of the autopsy we maintained that
there was nothing in the gross appearances
to justify the theory of IRRESPONSIBLE men
tai unsoundness. But we also reserved
final Judgment until the results of the mi
croseopical examination were placed be-
fore us. We have now demonstration of
great accuracy and minuteness, involving
structures not recognizable by unaided Wis
ion. With the new light thus thrown on
the case, what opinions must now be
formed? The organic substratum on
which the mental operations are conduct
must be settled upon regarding the mental
condition of Guiteau?
The changes discovered were chiefly in
the vessels, the perivascular lymph spaces,
the neuroglia, and the cells. Our function.
more especially, is to interpret the signif-
icance of the pathological changes, and
trace, if we can, the relation between
them and the mental condition. At the
outset we are debarred from throw
ing any doubts on the genuine
ness of the microscopical demonstra-
ton. Post-mortem changes, and altera-
tons due to the methods pursued. are often
alleged against the results of such minute
researches. That this distrust of micro
scopical work is abundantly we'll founded
is proved by the sad mistakes of the most
eminent workers. But in this instance
there are means of control. Healthy and
diseased structures being subjected to the
same methods, the results OF comparison
can be relied on.
Accepting, therefore, the observations
of the microscopists making this report as
accurate, the first conclusion we reach is
that the changes for the most part are
recent III origin. While numerous lym-
phold cells migrating from the vessels dis
tended the perlvascular lymph spaces, and
the perlceliular spaces, the anatomical
elements-the nerve corpuscle and the
neurogha cell-were generally preserved
although In some instances they were
destroyed. Masses of pigment
remains OF red corpuscles, in some places
hIled the lymph spaces, but generally only
lymphoid cells were present. In some in
stances the vessel walls presented the ap-
pearance of granulated degeneration but
more frequently only the endotheEum
exhibited this change, AS regards the
white hbres, there were seen in various
places numerous lymphoid cells Oh and be-
tween the separate bundles, resembling in
appearance the changes in the optic nerve
in descending neuritis. The above men
toned alterations of structure in the
corpus stratum were found here dissent.
mated "among tissues in which nothing
distinctly abnormal could be made out"
From the point of view of the mental
condition, the greatest interest attaches to
the examination of the different LAYERS of
the cortex. Some thinning of the first
layer was noted, and more or less cellular
hyperplasia. Some granular degenera-
ton of the walls of the vessels was dis
covered in the second, fourth and fifth
layers. In this region, also, there was
more or less augmentation of the cells
and lymphoid cells were contained in the
lntercellular spaces, but the anatomical
elements were for the most part present
AtrophIc degeneration to any marked ex-
tent we do not find to have taken place
Notwithstanding we admit the existence of
the vacuoles observed at various points
The changes just referred to were most
marked in the anterior portion of the
gray cerebral matter, but were generally
dlffused, although less in amount, as the
examination extended through the cerebral
cortex posteriorly.
AS the anatomical elements WERE for the
most I art, jim their usual form and position
although somewhat changed by pigmenta-
ton, by the presence of lymphoid cells
ETC., and as they were only in the dura
mater but doubtful evidences of any in
hammatory action of chronic type, we
are led to the conclusion above expressed
that the changes revealed by the micro
scope, although, as stated in the report.
chronic in type, are recent in origin. Such
an amount of granular degeneration of the
vessels as here described may be effected
In a brief space of time in which such
changes are wrought in acute phosphorus
poisoning.
Soi0S opuAe lIVlli Tie tllu0 III WHICH bQ6S6
structural changes have occurred is the
question of their influence on the mental
state. As marked degree of double optic
neurltis may coexist with preservation of
quite sufficient acuteness of vision for all
ordinary purposes, SO considerable changes
OF the organic substratum may coincide
with fairly good intellectual powers. In
the case of Guiteau some changes are
discovered on microscopical examination,
but do they necessarily imply a degree
of weakness incapable of distinguish
ing between right and wrong? We
hold that they do not. Furthermore,
these changes are, we believe, recent
IN origin, therefore they hardly involve
the question of his moral responsibility
anterior and up to the commission of his
crime. They constitute the initial stage of
malady, which, in its fullest develop
ment is known as dementia paralytica, or
an allied disease; the early symptoms of
which disorder correspond closely with the
mental condition of Guiteau during the
past year.
As, however, extensive LESSONS of the
brain are not Incompatible with a normal
exercise of the Intellectual faculties, it fol-
lows that the mere structural changes of
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