The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-07

NEW YORK. Sept. e.-The thSrd days
session of the Medico-Legal Congress began
with the reading by Clark Bell OF a paper
by Gustav Boehm, on THE Brutality OF
Capital Punishment The author con-
tended that the death penalty had no de-
torrent effect; that it was a relic Of feudal
barbarian and was merely sn act Of re-
venge on the part Of the State.
Chemistry was then reached and Prof.
c. A. Doremus read a paper on Two
Remarkable Cases of Chronic Antimonial
Poison Prof. r. Ogden Doremus read a
paper on milk Adulteration.
The section of microscopy was then
entered upon, the chairman being Prof.
NJ. c.. White. Of New Haven. Conn. b
Professor spoke Of the Hayden murder
case and arsenical crystals, Of which he
showed photographs after they had been
exposed to the air in glass for thirty
five years.
Clark Bell introduced DR.. Paul Gibier az
chairman of the meteorological section. The
Professor spoke on what may be the PAN
e Said 0i bactepioiogy was a new science. but
second to non and he considered the
student in forensic medicine could not
should be very carefully considered from
a criminal point of view. for bacteria
could be used more easily and with more
ceTIdlu u6dull ItSuiAc ~ ~ ~
arsenic or anthony or any other poispl.
The professor told of his having BEEN
asked by a man whom he suspected u
criminal intent as TO wfat traces Snighfr e
discovered in case OF injection or use In
any way of bacteria GA a person. Sac
terra could be turned" said ne, TO mes
or disease could be introduced by the mere
throwing In water or milk. or cultivalec
6 os;a,Y. ,, gscteriolc csIs9sr should inske see pp 'n nhs
under watch as their potsonS. HlI
The afternoon session was opened WIZ
the tln reoaing of Of t = pa aosrt - Of f' naw. Se' s Hn
Bel sent a letter 10 several prop
physicians asking, 'Can crime be co
ted by the hypnotizer. the suo,ect -.
II the SUI iect Is uncoEs-rcus nae
the hypnotizer such Tower and doTinalior
over the hypnotlzed as could contro' HS.os
Is IL possible to remove by nypn1tlc scs-
gestion from the mind OF the subject ala
pen in the hypnotic state? You'd It be
possible for a hypnotizer TO so centrol a
hypnotized subject as TO, for m make
person. pem declare It to be his viii ard request
them to sign as attesting witnesses ana be
afterwards wholly unconscious OF the &C.
currence? Or a note Of hand or a checkE--
Replies in the Affirmative were received
from several eminent professors. while 9TH
ers, conceding that persons In hypnotic
state are constantly amenable 10 control by
denied that hypnotism has any
place in criminal Jurisprudence as a defense
for crime. Mr.. Bell pointed out that IL APP
country did not recognize hypnotic trance
as an existing fact. The lawyers ana
judges were on the same ground as the
doctors. In the countries of Europe the
contrary was the fact. and men or the
highest character and professional attain-
ments devoted their best efforts 10 IT'S
study and calculation. As II was with the
professional men. SO it was with the peo-
Prof. Carl sextus. of Chicago. wrote TO
say that a natural criminal could be made
to do criminal acts under hypnotic influence.
but not a person of real moral worth.
DIR. william Lee Howard. of Baltimore.
gave several instances of hynotized persons
in Baltimore. including his own servant
whom he sent to a neiRhborlng pnysician-
had. He restored the fellow while ne had
the articles still In his possession. The doc
tor confessed IL affected the mans brain
somewhat, but he always took care, ex-
cept on this occasion. TO get the subject
back into a good mental state before he
completely restored him. The doctor also
hypnotized a bank cashier ana mane nm
steal 5000. He performed an operation In
the johns Hopkins University viii the par
tient under the hypnotic influence. Hypnot-
ism was invaluable as a correc'or OF "or-
DR.. Grover. of Massachusetts,. told Of a
young lady in Boston who. had a tendency
TO tuberculosis being cured by hypnotizinz
The following resolution was adopted on
a motion of Clark Bell: Resolved. That In
the opinion of this medico-legal congress
not only should the subject of medical juris-
prudence be recognized In the various insti-
buttons of learning. but in medical and law
schools of this country: that such schools
should include II in theil studies. and that
examinations on this subject be made nee
essary for graduation in either medicine or
law"
On motion of r. r. Ransom the following
was passed:
Resolved. That II Is the duty and would
add 10 the interest and benefit Of the legal
and medical professicss IL every nauonai
and State medical society and every ma
tional and State bar association In the
United States and British provinces should
Jurisprudence"
The session then adjourned. and the con-
gress ended with a banquet and reception
tonight
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