The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-28

LAWYER VS., DOCTOR
Duran Damage Suit Reaches
Expert Testimony Stage.
SIX PHYSICIANS TESTIFY
That Duran Is a NeuraStheniC,
With No Other Trouble.
SIX PHYSICIANS TESTIFY

The greater and most interesting part
OF the Duran damage suit against the
Rock Island Railway company occupied
ell the afternoon yesterday in the rem
dering of expert medical testimony, which
testimony was used by the defendant
company in an endeavor to establish the
fact that the railway accident was not
the prime cause Of Mr. Duran's present
pftiable condition. In this effort, which
brought out most interesting tits be-
tween the disciples of Blackstone and
Esculapius, the defendant was literally
dtssected and put together again. The
expert witnesses of the defendant believe
that he can be made a good man yet,
while the plaintiffs attorneys aver that
Mr.. Duran will never be as good a man
physically as he was before ne was in
Jured in the Rock Island collision.
The expert testimony began with the
examination of DR.. L. H Mum of Tope-
ka, chief surgeon Of the Rock Island rail-
way. He testified to having examined
Mr.. Duran at NJ. Hope in January 1899,
in connection with DR.. Oldham, local sur
geon for the railway, and DR.. Kirllwood
Being asked to state the manner and re-
suit of the examination, DR. Mum said:
I'VE examined him, first, to estimate
his mentality; next, to determin what
disease he had. We got his height
weight and temperature, manner of his
respiration, how he coughed, condition of
his skin, condition Of his eyes, etc. Ia
ter we gave him a specific examination
to determine the state Of his nervous
system heart and lungs. We found that
his temperature was about normal, but
ranged between 9S15 and 12O the accelera-
, ton being caused by excitement due to
The examination. Next we tested his
eyesight to find the Evidence of a posi-
bic nervous arrangement. The pupils
were not enlarged or contracted, thus
showing that the functions there were in
a healthy condition. Then we tested the
motor nerves and muscles that govern
motion. We had him smile to see if the
muscles of the face worked properly. We
found from this no evidence of organic
arrangement We examined his skin to
see if there were any symptoms of de-
rangement in the glands or organs that
the moisture and phability Of his skin and
. found no evidence o fanny organic trouble
We then tested the ref1exes where Ger
tain phenomena occur in any derange-
ment Of the spinal column w found the
condition normal. the reaction being equal
on both sides, denoting that responses
and sensations, were correct, as nature in
tends them The superficial reflexes were
a little sluggish We then used a bat
terry to test the muscles of his face, arms
and back. The muscles and nerves re
sponded readily indicating that they were
healthy. We then measured his arms and
legs and found that the left limbs were
slightly smaller in circumference than
those Of the right side. This Is natural.
We then carefully examined his lungs and
heart and found no organic arrangement
We then gave him the pain-sense test.
This is TO determine how quickly the
sense of pain is felt and the result. In
this test he complained a good deal of
his back We paid careful attention to
this We first felt along the spinal cord
TO determine where the pain was located
When we found the place of pain we
marked it with a lead pencil. Then We
felt again and found that the pain would
occur at another point This indicated
that there was nota specific injury or de-
raugement of the spinal column but that
the affection was OF a general nature. In
these pressure tests Duran's pulse did
not accelerate as it would have done in
a case of great injury. In this entire
examination we found that there was no
organic trouble whatever in this man.
did Won examine him again, Doctor?''
asked Mr. Evans.
Eyes. sir, we examined him day before
Yesterday ] was assisted by DR.. For
dyee, Dr. oldham DIT. TIirkwood, DIT. c.
Z Mum and Dr. NJ Sex We found
little or no variation i'm this and the other
examination. No organic trouble, no
fracture or injury
What would YOU call Mr. Duran's dis
ease or trouble?'
"We1. I would say that he was what
might be termed functional neurosis, OF
disease OF the functional organs"
DO you think his condition could be
inlproved?"
Yes, sir, undoubtedly improved by
proper treatment ana the chance for his
ultimate recovery would be good
s-questioned 10y Mr.. Houston:
doctor. you say this man was in bad
condition. Now. IL ne was a sick man,
then he IS sick man now. Is he not?''
Eyes. sir. ne is i'm bad condition"
Would railroad collision in which he
was injured have anything to do with
his condition."
"Yes II the soil We're favorsb BILE it
probably would. Any little excitement