Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-14
GVJITEAU JUSTLY HANGED.

mas Cr11ne ana Oh AIS UIBAouEht1kt.
Philadelphia Medical News, Sept. g.
We present to our readers in this issue
the report of the microscopists-Drs j. w.
s. Arnold, e. Q. Shakespeare, and j. c.
Mcdonnell Ito 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 well
known as experts in this department of
science to require a word of support or
vindication from Us. The subject has
been approached in Judicial temper, the
examination has been made without preju-
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 a
final Judgment until the results Of the mi
croscopical examination were placed be-
fore u. We have now q demonstration OF
great accuracy and minuteness, Involving
structures not recognizable by unaided Wis
ion. Withsthe new light thus thrown on
the case, what opinions must now be
formed? The organic substratum on
which the mental operations are conduct
ed being nov exposed, what conclusions
must be settled upon regarding the mental
condition of Guiteau?
The changes discovered weres chiefly IN
the vessels, the perivascular lymph spaces,
the neurogla, and the cells. Our function,
more especially, is TO interpret the signif-
icance OF the pathological changes, and
trace, # We can, the relation between
them and The mental condition. At the
outset We arc debarred from throw
ing any Doubts on the genuine
ness 6 .AC Unicroscopical deraonstra-
tjon. 2ostmortem changes, and altera-
lions doe 10 tie methods pursued, are often
alleged against the results OF such minute
researches. That this distr1st OF micro
scOpIcal work IL abundantly well founded
IS proved by the sad mistakes OF the most
eminent workers. But IN this instance
there are means CT control. Healthy and
diseased structures being subjected 10 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 N origin. While numerous lynn
phoid cells migrating from the vessels dis
tended the periVascular lymph spaces, and
the peTicellular spaces, the anatomical
elenents-!he nerve corpuscle and the
neuroglia cell-were generally preserved
although IN some instances they were
destroyed. Masses Of pigment
remains Of red corpuscles, N some places
filled the lymph spaces, bat generally only
ITmphold cells were present. In some in
stances the vessel walls presented the ap-.
pearaDce CT granulated degeneration, but
more frequently only the endothelium
exhibited this change, As regards the
white hbTea7 there were seen IN various
places numerous lymphoid cells on and be-
tween the separate bundles, resembling in
appearance the changes IN the optic nerve
in descending ne1ritis. 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."
troIn Inc 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
A4OAO VI 1SSS t8s3IEGutt-e1CGl Oh Inc cSLkS.
and IyInphOid cells were contained IN the
intercellular spaces, but the anatomical
clements were for The most part present.
A.rophjc degeneration to any marked ex-
tent we do not find to have taken place,
Notwithstanding we admit the existence of
the VacaCles observed at various points.
The changes just referred 10 were most
marked IN the anterior portion of the
gray cerebral matter, bUt were generally
dlhused, although less IL amount, as the
examination extended through the cerebral
cortex posteriOrly.
As the anatomical elements were, for the
most lpart,in their usual form and position,
although somewhat changed by pigmenta-
tion, By the presence of Iymphoid cells,
etc, and as they were only IN the dura
mater bat doubtful evidences Of any in
hammatory action OF a 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 b-ief space of time in which such
changes are wrought IN aCute phosphorus
poisoning:
Quite apart from The lime IN which these
structural changes have occurred IS the
question of their influence on the mental
state. As a marked degree of double optic
neUritis may coexjst with preservation of
quite sufficient acuteness OF vision for al
ordinary purposes, go considerable changes
OF The organic snbstFatrm may coincide
with fairly good intellectual powers. In
the case OF Guiteau some changes are
discovered on microscopical examination,
bu+ 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
anterict and up 10 the commission of his
crime. They constitute the initial stage of
n Inalady, which, In its fullest develop
ment, IS known as deIneptia paralytica, or
an allied disease; The early symptoms Of
which disorder correspond closely with the
mental condition Of Guiteau during the
past year. 49,,
AS, however, extensive LESSONS Of the
brain are not incompatible with normal
exercise of the intellectual faculties, it fol-