The morning call., 1890-08-07
THE AUTOPSY.
Death Believed to Have Been Painless-Con-
dition Of the Body.

Death Believed to Have Been Painless-Con-
dition of the Body.
The autopsy began at o'clock. IL was
found when the body was spread out
ON the table that very severe
rigor mortis had set in. There was little
relaxation, and it was with difficulty
that the corpse was Strengthened out On
examination it was found that the second
electrode had burned through the skin and
into the flesh at the base of the spine, max
ing scar nearly five inches in diameter.
The heart, lungs and other organs were
taken out and found in good healthy con-
dition. They will be preserved for further
examination. The brain was also taken
out. 1t too will be carefully examined.
The doctors who performed the autopsy
made preliminary statement of the results
of the execution. They agree that uncon-
sciousness was instantly produced. Death
was apparently painless, Notwithstanding
some slight defect in the electrical ap-
paratus, which required second contact
of the current to insure death. the extern
siye charring of the body at the points
of contact with the electrodes, also min
ute hemorrhages, were found in the
serous membrane and in the ventricles of
the brain. The blood was fluid and dark
In the longitudinal sinus corresponding
with the region sof contact. the blood was
carbOniZed, and there was decided change
in the consistency and color of the brain
corresponding with the point of acontact.
Destructive changes Of the blood coIpuscles
were noted.
DR.. Shrady tonight gave the following as
the result Of the autopsy: The body was
that of a fairly well nourished man. Rigor
mortis well defined. particularly in the
muscles Of the jaw, the neck and the thOraX,
and extending from above, down.
ward involving the feet and legs
and body. and extending as far
up as the anterior auxiliary line,
or line of the armpits, also on the pendant
surface of the upper and lower extremities.
The upper extremities were partly hexed
post-mortem liyidty. There was an oval
depression of the scalp upon vertex, or
crown Of the head. Beginning at the
anterior hair line and measuring
four inches In length and three and half
inches in its short diameter. In incising
the skin over the region Of the sternum, or
breast-bOne, the blood which escaped was
unusually dark but in fluid state, and 1t
remained SO during exposure. There was
no vernicular action of the intestines on
exposure to air or on irritation. The dia-
phram was extended from the fifth inter-
costal on the left side, on the fourth on the
right. Blood following. an incision on
the surface Of the liver was of a
crimson color. The abdominal organs
were normal in position and appearance.
lUo UuSCle5 Oh LU6 tuOTdX were Oh the
usual color. Spots were noticed on the
posterior edge of the lower lobe of the left
lung. Over half of the lung foated
when placed in water. showing marked
emphysema. The bronchus, normal in ap-
pearance, but containing mucous matter
and air bubbles. There was pleuretic ad-
hesion of the right lung, and in the middle
lobe OF the lung were many well-marked
spots.
On internal inspection of the calvarium,
the meningeal vessels in the dura mater, the
contents, and coats, appeared to be black
and carb0nized. The carbonized vessels
were so brittle that their ends were
torn off with the e-calvarium and
presented broken, GRUMPY appearance.
This carbonization was limited. The other
meningeal vessels contained blood of q
crimson-like hue, corresponding to the
outer burn previously described. The
pa mater and gyri themselves were
of a palo buff color, the rest had the
ordinary rosy injection Of the cor tex.
While observing this anemic area twas
noticed that its blood-vessels be-
can to fill. The pia mater and arachnoid
membrane eonvexity were perfectly normal
An interesting fact was observed on ham
ding the pons tarini and medulla, in that
they were found to be warm. BY q ther-
mometer inserted in the fourth ventricle
the temperature was noted at F7' +.
This corresponds with an area OF tempera-