Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-07

crummy appearance. This carbonization was
limited In an abrupt manner The other menin-
geal vessels contained blood Of q crimson-lake
hue corresponding to the outer burn previously
described. In its narrowest portion was seen q
| little posteriority in the median line, dark
dlscoloration sending out right lateral pro-
longation in direction OF the longitudinal
sinus, and in width q Of an inch. Over
ss' the left ssasp fh. OF an inch def left
carbonized spot corresponding with the
carbonized portion Of the calvarium. This
charred spot corresponds to the durs OF dull
color as previously described. The pia and
gyri themselves we're of pale buff color; the
rest had the ordinary rosy injection OF the Or
binary cortex. While observing this anemic
area 1t was noticed that its blood vessels began
to fill. The pia and arachnoid on the CON-
vexity were perfectly normal An interesting
fact was observed on handling the pous and
medulia, in that they were found to be warm.
BY thermometer inserted in the fourth VEN
tricle the temperature was noted at 81 Fahren-
heit. This corresponds With an area
OF temperature on the back Of
F. two hours after death and 971kF. three
hours post mortem. The smaller vessels of
the pia were letatic. Capillary hemorrhages
were noted on the floor Of the fourth yentricle
and the same condition in the third ventricle
and the anterior portion Of the lateral ventri-
Gle. The peri vascular spaces appeared to be
distended with serum and blood. The brain
cortex in area of contact was sensibly hardened
to one-sixth Of its depth, where there was
broken line of vascularity. The vessels over
the corpus streatum showed engagements in
tons. The pous slightly softened.
The burned integrement of the back
on being removed showed the spinal muscles
underneath to be cooked like cover done beef
throughout their entire thickness. The spinal
cord was removed entire, but showed no gross
appearances Of pathological condition Por-
tons OF its structure, as we'll as those of brain
tissue. were preserved by members Of the staff
for purposes of hardening and microscopical
examination. The blood taken immediately
after death showed under the microscope
markedly granular condition almost suggesting
an elecholytic dissolution of the red cor
puscles.
COMMENT OF THE NEW YORK PAPERS.
The Times says: 1t is unfortunate for the
cause OF execution by electricity that its first
trial was badly bungled. 1t was intended to be
merciful method of putting condemned MUIR
derers to death. painless and instantaneous,
and there is reason to believe that properly ap-
piled 1t might be SO. But yesterday at Auburn
prison it was evidently not successful.
The Herald says: While yesterdays expert
ment was a failure in the sense We have men
toned, it does not show that this mode Of ln-
flcting the death penalty is not a success. The
failure was due not to the system, but the
was managed. The fault was with the doctors
and the electricians
While we cannot consider it settled that the
law should endure, says the New York Tribune,
further tests of its desirability should be had
These will be in the interest of mercy and civ
ilIzation. Reminders sufferings, whatever they
may have been, were certainly no greater than
he would have had to endure had he been
choked to death, and they were probably in
hnlteiy less. Much Of the contortion he went
through was mechanical and not the result of
feeling. and the probability stlll remains that
1t can be entirely prevented and that the ap-
parent results of the death stroke will subside
Ill an instant after it has been dealt.
The S,n said: Scientific curiosity has been
grattied sufficiently by this one awful expert
ment. The present generation Is not likely to
hear of another such scene of horrible uncer-
talnty, unknown torture and Notwithstanding
circumstances was witnessed yesterday
morning by the assistants at the judicial ex-
pertinent upon the body of VIM. Kemmier.
Civilization will find other lines on which to
manifest its progress.
1t may be taken for granted that public SEN
timent in New York will tolerate no further
essays in this new experimental science of man
killing by electricity pending the time when
the law can be repealed in the name of the
states dignity and of the enlightened humanity
OF the nineteenth century.