New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-14
| POLsONS. FROGS FOR JURY.
A PROFESSOR DEMONSTRATES EFFECTS
OF STRYCHNINE IN WOOD
WARD CASE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUxn.I


Camden N j. Nov. 13-In support Of the
States contention that little John Coffin and
Price Jennings were put to death with strych-
nine. there was a dramatic demonstration of the
effects of that poison on animal tissue at the
trial of young Paul Woodward to-day. Profess
sor John Marshall. of the University of Penn
sylvania, testified as expert that he had
found arsenic in the organs Of John Coffin which
he had examined From portions of what he
had found he had administered a tiny quantity
to a frog. which instantly went into the convul-
sions peculiar to that form of poisoning. and in
five minutes dead.
The professor described infinitely the actions
Of the poisoned frog, and declared they were
precisely what have been found in human be-
ings similarly poisoned
Il will have objection TO DR. Marshall du-
plcating the frog test now" said Mr.. Lloyd. the
prosecutor. Mr.. Robson was on his feet in an
instant with an objection. but was overruled by
the Judge and DR.. Marshall proceeded, after an
exception for the defence had been noted. Mix
ing distilled water with the strychnine taken
from John Collins liver DR.. Marshall prepared
for the experiment explaining his process step
by step. Woodward aroused from his lethargy
and watched the progress of the operation with
interest as keen as that of any other spec
tator.
The unluCky frog subjected to a hypo-
dermic injection and then placed under a glass
cover in view Of the jury. a second frog was
dosed with strychnine with acetic acid and put
in the same Enclosure for the purpose Of dem
onstrating the differences in effect, the poison
being more readily soluble in the acid. The
frogs soon showed the effects of their doses
the one which got the acid solution giving the
first exhibition of commissions, and demonstrate
ing that the poison had taken effect more
quickly, almost instantly. in it's case. There
spasmodc movement of the legs. gasp
ing and throwing back Of the head. which the
professor had described. and finally such a
rigidity as indicated death.
During all the rest of the professors exam
nation and long discrimination the poisoned
stages of life. At the close of court, at p. m,
which was five hours after the dramatic expert
ment was made. the frog which had taken his
poison with acid barely alive, while his
brother. with the distilled water, lively
frog ought to be, Professor Marshall
said he had not intended to kill the frogs. but
convulsions-probably 10000 of a grain each.
DIR, Hobart Hare. another expert from Phila-
delphia, testified to the effects of strych-
nine poisoning upon the human body, and
in response to hypothetical questions based
upon the known facts In the present case, he
was sure that the quantities of strychnine
found by the chemists in the bodies OF the boys
were sufficient TO cause their deaths. DR..
George NJ. BerinGer, a local chemist, also testi-
fed to finding strychnne in the bodies of the
boys.
Edith Barber was called to the stand. Dressed
I'm deep black with a black veil over her face,
she was led into court by Idett, the constable
Mrs. Barber is In delicate condition, and was
uneasily in his seat during Mrs. BARRIERS test-
mony, and never once took his eyes from her.