The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-22
ARSENIC in THE SYSTEM
AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HUMAN
AND ANIMAL BODY.
Fact May influence Disposal Of So
Called Poisoning Cases Like
Mrs. Maybrfck's.


LONDON, March 10.-Recent rumors
about an impending pardon for Mrs. May
brick are well authenticated. it is learned,
and as the circumstances, that eventually
may lead the quondam American beauty
to liberty, this time wholly uncon-
nected with sentiment, and. on the con-
trary, pregnant with hard facts, the pros
poets seem uncommonly good.
When the famous French psychologist,
Prof. A. Gautier, announced. some three
years ago, that arsenic formed an integral
part of the human and animal constitution.
the disclosure, though Of the greatest pos
sible Importance to criminal Jurisprudence,
was given no consideration by the home
secretary, the official person deciding upon
pardons in the United Kingdom. At that
time, however, the Paris scientist himself
admitted that his Investigations were not
fully matured and, as is often the case.
many of his unsuccessful colleagues at
once began to ridicule his efforts
But of late Gautier has reiterated his
Observation-Disclosures theory in the
official Bulletin" of the French Academy
of Medicine. backing it up with so formid-
able an array Of facts as to disarm his
critics.
AT the same time Professor Hoedlmoser
in Vienna and Professor Cerny in Prague
names carrying great weight in the medical
world-announced that their own independ-
ent investigations of the subject, preached
by Gautier, had led to the same results,
or practically the same results, as his-the
finding of arsenic in the healthy human
body.
And, to cap the climax, the French Acad-
envy of Sciences now comes out with the
statement that Professor Bertrand's "well
authenticated inquiries and researches
prove beyond doubt that not only certain
plants and mammals, as found by Gautier,
but numerous kinds of fish used for human
food contain arsenic in smaller or larger
doses which necessarily enter the body of
consumers"
Professor Lombroso, the great modern
criminologist. took up the argument here
and pointed out that, in accordance with
these disclosures. the proceedings in Grim
inal cases where arsenic poisoning was
charged, must undergo revision.
Arsenic" he says, seems 70 form the
component part of substances ir the earth
and above-I refer to plant and animal life
far more frequently than anybody ever
dreamed of.
This suggests that, in cases of arsenic
poisoning. the presence of arsenic in the
body of the person supposed to have been
murdered. involves no proof of guilt on the
part of the accused whatever.
MAY BE DUE TO FOOD.
at may be due to the dead persons pref
erence for certain food containing arsenic
it may be due to some physical fault in
| terfering with the proper secretion of super
| fous arsenic from the blood and muscles.
| If the arsenic not used in building up the
human system is not. discharged in one
way or other, IL naturally accumulates and
such accumulation may lead to death by
| poison, just as a poisonous snake is doomed
! If he swallow some OF his own venom
again. the presence of arsenic in a hu-
man body may be due to a persons liking
| for arsenious acid; he may like it because
| his system Graves 1t. his health demands 1t.
| We have examples of such craving in GER
| tain districts, why not in other parts of
the world? AT any rate, criminal jurispru-
dence cannot afford to ignore this matter
| moment longer lest il sink to the level
of the hired expert, capable OF finding guilt
in any person. prosecuted by authority
The above considerations were submitted
to King Edward and coming top of re-
newed efforts for revision of Mrs May
| bricks case. he ordered the home secre-
tary TO discuss the matter with eminent
medical men with a view to reopening the
case or moving for pardon.
| This latter the King would be willing to
/ grant freely, Ii is understood. for in common
| with many Englishmen and American pub
4 IL nfr,fr, he Ho. l,ol.I
| evidence against Mrs. Maybrick was not
| sufficiently strong to justify conviction.
| Professor Gautier's Investigations and dis
| coveries strengthened this belief and sug-
| gested TO the King conclusions in accord
ance with Lombroso's argument: The pres
| ence of arsenic in Mr.. Mayorick's body may
have been perfectly natural; Mrs. May
bricks admissions. so called. at the trial
may have been hysterical outbursts after
/ all.
| AS the French scientists discoveries have
| bearing not only on the Maybrick case
but criminal Jurisprudence in general.
| went over to Paris day before yesterday
and interviewed the author OF the arsenic
1.-The human body theory. who was found
at the Office of the Bulletin de rAcademie
de Medicine
CONVICTION OF INNOCENTs
There is no doubt In my mind" said
Professor Gautier. that thousands of per-
| cons have been wroneftrllv convicted NJ a p