Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-24

given by the four physicians yesterday
Counsel Robson. for the accused, left the
cross examination to the civilian counsel
Mr.. Munroe. But it developed nothing be-
yond the admission of Dr. Mccormick tina [
an autopsy would have settled more salts
factorily the immediate cause of death.
Replying 10 Captain Comfy. witness said
| that he had no reason to believe that any
thing but the fist fight was responsible for
Branch'S death
What Autopsy Might Show.
On cross-examination by Mr. AIunroe,
counsel for Meriwether, Surgeon McCor-
| mick said that an autopsy might, have de-
veloped a cause of death existing prior 10
the fight, and that 1t might have indicated
more clearly the definite cause of death. He
added, however. that his convictions were
that the bruises Branch had received in
the fight had caused the death.
Surgeon Mccormick was examined very
rigidly by Admiral A. Fl. Mccormick of the
court, the object being to bring out whether
or not any possible cause of death could
have existed prior to the fight. The wit
ness answered that 1t was Impossible to say
this absolutely In the absence of an au-
topsy, but that there was no reasonable
doubt that the blows had caused Branch's
death.
Under this examina ton Surgeon McCor-
mick said that excitement and over-exertion
might have contributed to the condition of
Branch's being, but only in a secondary
way. Admiral McCormick,s examination of
the witness was very searching and lasted
much longer than the examination by coun-
sci. It's manifest Intention was to bring
out clearly the degree of certainty of the
knowledge of the medical men as to how far
antecedent causes on possible diseased con-
dition of Branch might have contributed to
or even caused his death. Admiral McCor-
mick evidently was not at all satisfied that
the hot applications on Branch's head by
his companions on the night of the fight
Tn
brought out from the witness that hot ap-
pl1catfons might contract veins If applied to
them closely and continually
Admiral Mccormick took the witness In
hand for a medical examination almost an
hour long, as to the effect of hot. warm and
aukewarm applications TO bleeding sur
faces and contiguous and bleeding sur
faces" 1t was very involved series of
questions, the main point which Admiral
Mccormick tried to bring out being the
effect of the frequently mentioned hot bath
and hot towels on Branch Immediately after
the fight. DR.. Mccormick, however agreed
with his medical colea CUES that nothing
done or left undone on the evening of the
fight would have had any material effect
on the outcome of the brain injury Branch
had suffered.
There was a general slgh of relief when
the long examination was over.
DR.. Stone Recalled.
DR.. Stone of the Academy Hospital. the
"ftfess oi tHe PleNlodS udS, was recalled
and, after correcting his testimony was
also taken charge of by Admiral Mccormick
with view to finding out whether 1t was
possible for g. midshipman affected with
heart disease to pass the physical examina-
ton for entrance to the academy Dr.
Stone said that such a thing was possible,
but rather improbable.
Admiral Mccormick asked if the heart
examination of a rnidshfpman was thor
ough. The witness answered that it was
.sThen," said Admiral Mccormick, 'if
showed youthe record where a young man
passed that examination and two weeks
after died from embolism of the brain, due