The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-13
Was Assassin Guitcau Crazy.
OTHER MEDICAL REP0RT--ABSoRMAL, But RI


OTHER MEDICAL REPORT--ABNORNAL, But RE-
sPoNsIBLE FOR HIS ACTS.
PHILADELPHIA, September 9.-The Medi-
cal Ne,oS published to-day the report OF
Drs. T. w. S. Arnold, T.. o. Shakespeare,
and j. c. Mcconnell, whom DR.. ID. >.
Lamb, Of the Army and Navy Medical Mu-
scum. with assent OF Rev. DR.. W. W..
Hicks. requested to make careful micro
scopical examination Of sections from the
brain. driramater, and lung OF the late
Charles ]. Guiteau, and TO report the con-
ditions found TO be present. The report Is
long and technical, and Is ineligible, In
the main. only TO members OF the medical
profession. In conclusion, the committee
saw: Your committee have no hesitation
whatever in affirming the existence OF I'M
questionable evidence OF decided chronic
disease OF the minute blood-vessels in nu-
merous minute diffused areas, accompanied
by alterations Of the cellular elements in
the specimens Of brain submitted for their
examination. Whilst the LESSONS found
were most marked in the corpus stratum
and in the frontal region OF the cerebral
cortex, vet they very diifusely pervaded all
! portions Of the brain which the sections
represented.
They are OF the opinion that all OF the
LESSONS TO be recognized in the sections
placed in their hands have been pointed
out in the foregoing report. They regret
that il has not been possible to subject the
tissues to all the tests which might deter
mine the nature beyond peradventure OF
the so-caIed vacuole referred to.
They have not been called upon TO pass
lIpon the bearing the LESSONS found might
TOT ~ hO ct,l ind
and therefore do not offer an opinion.
In discussing the findings OF the report
the Medical NelcS says editorially: "From
the point OF view OF the mental condition,
the greatest interest attaches TO the eyami-
nation Of the different layers OF the cor
tex. Some thinning of the first layer was
noticed, and more or less cellular hyper
plasia. Some granular degeneration OF the
walls OF the vessels was discovered III the
second, fourth, and fifth layers. In this
region also there was more or less pigmen-
tation OF the cells, and lymphOid cells were
contained in the intercellular spaces, but
the anatomical elements we're for the most
part present. Atrophic degeneration, to
any marked extent. we do not find to have
taken place, Notwithstanding we admit the
existence of the vacuoles observed at va
were most marked in the anterior portion
OF the gray cerebral matter, but were gen.
orally ditfused, although less in amount, as
the examination extended through the CO.
rebral corteX pOsteri0rly."
As the anatomical elements were, for the
most part, in their usual form and position,
although somewhat changed by pigmenta-
ton, by the presence OF lymphold cells,
ETC., and az there were only in the durama-
ter but doubtful evidences of any inilam-
matory action of a chronic type, we are led
TO the conclusion that the changes revealed
by the microscope, although, as stated III
the report, chronic in type, are recent in
origin. Such an amount OF granular de-
generation OF the vessels as here described
NAV be effected in the brief space of time
i'm which such changes are wrought in acute
phosphorus poisoning.
Quite apart from the time in which these
structural charges have occurred is the
question OF their influence on the mental
state. As marked degree OF double optic
neurites may coGXist with preservation Of
quite sufficient acuteness OF vision for all
ordinary purposes, so considerable changes
of the organic substrattlm may coincide
with fairly good intellectual powers. In
the case OF Guteau some changes are dis
covered, on microScopical examination;
but do they necessarily imply degree OF
mental 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 con-
stitute the initial stage of malady which,
in its fullest development, is known as de-
mentha paralytica, Or an allied disease, the
early symptoms of which disorder cor
respond 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
of the organic substratum cannot be safely
interpreted alone. The clinical history
must be studied in connection with the
alterations in the cerebral structures. Ii
we pursue this logical course we can DC
conducted but to one conclusion-that
although Guiteau was not strictly normal
in respect to the condition of the organic
substratum of the mind, and in respect to
its symptomatc expression, he was, never
theless, a responsible agent. in that he had
clear conception Of the distinction be-
tween right and wrong, and realized the
nature OF the crime and its punishment.
There is, therefore, in the microscopical
revelations no reason for changing the
opinion which we originally expressed
that Guiteau, an abnormal character, Justly
suffered the penalty of the law for the high
crime he had committed