Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-22


about a. nov have talked with him and he
would talk intslligsntly; l was mot able to
make complsss diagnosis of his disease
nave seen cases Of epilepsy; never saw q
case OF what / csilsd very marked epilepsy
which resembled his in appearance; from the
history could get could not make out that
John ever had commissions; the history of
epilepsy in this country shows that the dis
ease does not generally impair the intslleci.
Judge Whitehouse ruled that the wit
ness could not give his testimony 'as to the
mental capacity ofthe prisoner.
The Attorney General stated that this wsa
the first time in the history of trials in
TINS State that such evidence had not been
admitted.
DR.. Delaney recalled: Have been called
twice to see Baker in his periods Of uncon-
sclousness; found him in an unconscious
condition and apparently asleep: stopped
with Baker perhaps half an hour at my first
visit and attempted 10 arouse him, but ansuc-
cessfnlly; have seen Baker several times
during the past summer and have never no.
tced any wild spells" epilepsy is chronic
disease and does not necessarily impair the
intellect; person might be afflicted with
disease for two year., and after recovery
have the full powers Of his intellect
Cross-eIamtnGt,on.-H given the pris-
oner bromide OF potash.
The counsel for the prosecution asked and
were given permission by the cour. 10 call
two witnesses.
Augustus Libby, called By the prosecution,
testified; On the morning prior to the killing
OF Mrs. Tuck, saw the defendant at the bar
IN Mr.. Roblnson's field getting in grain.
The witness here gave some testimony
hardly admissible 10 print.
Did not notice anything peculiar about the
prisoner that day; have not seen this prison.
er the past summer when he appeared wild.
DENOMINATIONS john always ap-
peared singular and people generally consid-
cred him below par.
A. j. Robinson being called by the prose-
cution related an account of the converse
ton in the grain field and testified did not
notice any wild appearance of the prisoner
during the summer; saw him occasionally
during the summer, did not plan to 90 gun
ming with John the afternoon of the murder.
The defence resumed.
DR.. NJ. II. Harlow sworn: | was connect
ed with the Maine Insane Hospital 80 years,
being superintendent 81 years; nay present
business is the treatment of insanity and
nervous diseases; during my experience st
the Insane Hospital many cases of epilepsy
came under my observation; should say that
-FOUR hundred or more cases had
come under my observation; the disease is
slight in the beginning; sometimes iI has
commissions, at other times not; sometimes
in severe form it is accompanied by a stu
por, the patient lying stupid and taking no
food; the disease may have no premonitory
symptoms, but come on suddenly, and is not
always accompanied by commissions or rigidity,
following slight contOrtions of the muscular
system; If a patient is taken with an appear
ance OF stupor, followed by rigidty of the
muscles, and long period of stupor, should
pronounce his disease epilepsy; the disease
always Injuries the mental faculties, and a
person afflicted as above for several years,
would be likely to suffer from weak mind ;
if, after the disease had run at some length,
it was suspended and he should manifest
wildness and bear a hsggard countenance, |
should say his mind had weakened; epilepsy
is disease of the nervous system, affecting
the spinal cord and brain; the disease is new
er cured when insanity is connected with is;
when insanity is absent there is but a small
percentage of cures.
Cross-e1aminafioH.-Y people are
afflicted with epilepsy from infancy; have
known children to be afflicted with the dis
ease two years and then be cured; the ina
pairment of the int, llect usually depends
upon the length OF Its existence, but = mans
mind may be perfectly clear during the inter-
walls of lucidness when the disease 10 in
progress, and he may be able to do business
person subject TO these attacks may endure
exposure to the weather and be very muscu-
lar.
DR.. b. T. Sanborn called: | am now
superintendent of the Insane Hospital and
have been connected with that institution Is
years; have had many cases of epilepsy
come under my observation, should say 10
or 20 each year; if a patient commences
with rigidty of the limbs and finally relapse.,
without commissions, into a stupor lasting
seven days, should suspect epilepsy; if
without convulsious, the patient should lie in
comstose state several days, I should
deem the attack one of epilepsy; there is a
distinct paroxysm at the commencement of
the disease.
Cross examination. Entire unconscious
ness does not usually last over an hour; cases
when a patient lives seven days without food
or drink are very rare; should not expect a
case to commence without paroxysm, and
it is hard to call disease epilepsy without
any sign of this feature; there are cases
where persons have had the disease, and in
their lucid intervals possessed unusually
brilliant intellects.
ID. w. Woodbury. testified: Reside in
lnomaston, ana tue prisoner worked under
me a. the State Prison; should say he was
with me for some two years he was employed
ironing carriages; don't remember as he
manifested any wildness, and always obeyed
my commands; he had more than ordinary
ability in learning the business he was en-
gagged in should say that the last of his stay
at the prison was the latter part of 1882, and
he appeared as lucid then as in the beginning.
CroSs-eTamtndtioH - The prisoner went
into stupor while in the shop; the attack
lasted five days. it was not accompanied by
commissions
DIR. Webster called: Made the study of
epilepsy a speciality at one time; find this
disease most frequently in childhood; where
the disease appears in childhood it is much
more likely to impair the faculties; convul-
sions are usually the first symptoms.
G. Robinson called Am acquainted with
the defendant, and have seen him frequently
the past summer and talked with him; ap-
peared perfectly intelligent; have observed
no wildness, and have not been able to see
any change IN his manner during the sum-
mer.
Geo. Il. Stevens testified The prisoner has
been in my charge since the first of October
have not noticed that be was affected with
sleepy or wild spells; the prisoner has APP
pesred in Jail the same as in court.
DIR. II. G. Levensaler testified Live in
Thomsston, and am in the practice of medi-
cine: between the tall of 1880 and 1882 I