Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-12

to the nerve centres of the brain, and
produces a direct conclusion of the
brain, but not necessarily q fatal In
jury.
When two well-trained and healthy
pugilists enter the ring their stomacha
are empty. Thus is a large part OF the
danger to life avoided. But If q pugilist
has any heart difficulty, however
slight, blow on the pit of the stomach
may prove fatal
There are number of cases in medi-
cal history where death has been caused
by blow in the pit of the stomach.
One of these is that of Mr.. Lambert,
who died immediately after receiving
blow from the fist of one of a gang
of rioters. He had just dined before
the blow was struck. An autopsy failed
to show any mark of injury, although
there were few dark red spots ON the
internal surface of the stomach, and
these were only marks of external con-
fusion. The brain was found to be
healthy. DIR. Post and Sir Ashley
Cooper report other cases of a similar
nature.
Following is an expert opinion on this
subject given in Wharton & STILES
Medical Jurisprudence:
1.-The possibility of a person dying
from shock attendant upon an injury
which by itself appears to be unimport-
ant, is attested by experience. Many
theoretical explanations have been of
fered to account for this fact, a consid-
Grafton of which would here be out OF
place. The shock from an injury may
prove fatal in two cases.
1 II t,-oN -
behind it, and second, where great vio-
lence has been done to some important
organ without occasioning a sufficient
amount of hemorrhage to produce
death.
eff a person receive, for instance. a
violent blow in the pit of the stomach,
or behind the ear. he may be almost in
simultaneously deprived of life. On
| post-mOrtem examination there may be
found externally but slight marks OF
confusion, and internally neither lac
| GRAFTON, fracture nor hemorrhage by
which the cause can be brought into
| any visible relation with the fatal re
suit"
Space will not permit the giving o,
other authorities on this subject which
while they might be interesting to th'
professional mind, would not be thor
oughly clear to the unprofessionaL
Sullivan has said pugilist can NOR
easily knock out an opponent with biz
than with little gloves He is right 4
big glove covers more space, and bring
the blow with more force and will
greater ease than does a smaller one.
Again, for fear the writer may b.
misunderstood, it will be well to re
peat: No healthy pugilist, well trained
is likely to be killed by a blow from tn
fist of an antagonist, providing he oh
serves the rules laid down for pugilist
about to enter contest; that is, in re
gard to eating, etc.
Donovan, in the writer's opinion (al
ways taking into consideration that b.
does not know wheth an autopsy wa
made, and, if 80, what its result nigh
have been) was probably not killed b.
the mere shock of tho Knockout blow
from Dunfees fist-thHt is, providin,
he was in condition.
Proper training enters largely int
the study of such cases. If, as alread.
stated, Donovan was in good condition
he must have suffered from some or
ganic trouble, perhaps unknown to him
self or friends, or he would have recov
cred (even after hours of unconscious
ness) from the mere effects of the is
blow, no matter what the strength wit
which it was delivered.