Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-22
DEATH BY RABIES PROVEN
NEITHER FEAR NOR DRUGS
KILLED DIR. MARSH.
Autopsy Shows Germs-Stenographsr
of the Deceased Inventor Also
Takes Pasteur Treatment.

NEW YORK. May 22-Postive proof
that DR.. William H Marsh died OF rabies
and not from fear or from the effects Of
the sedatives administered by his physi-
clan was obtained by means of an au-
topsy performed on the body yesterday
afternoon. The presence OF the germs OF
raj ies in large numbers in the dead mans
brain and spinal cord and the total alb
sence of indications of the effects of the
drugs satisfied the coroner and his ex.
perts that there was no basis for the sen.
sational charges Of the Medico-Legal So
ciety that DIR. Marsh was either poisoned
or frightened to death.
In the course OF the autopsy DR. Ira
Won Geison, rabies expert of the health
department. who was taking out part OF
the spinal cord for microscopical exam
nation. punctured his left forearm with
tiny splinter of bone Although small,
the wound was sufficient to inoculate DR..
Won Geson with the rabies germ, and as
quickly as he could finish his work be
hurried back to the research laboratories
to begin the Pasteur treatment on him.
self.
Autopsy at Dead Mans Home.
The autopsy was performed in an up
per chamber OF the Marsh home in
Brooklyn. Coroner Brewer. himself Q
physician. had been advised early in the
day by Robert H. Elder. assistant district
attorney of Kings county. that Clark Bell.
president of the Medico-Legal Society.
had requested that the death of DR..
Marsh be made the subject of Official in
vestigation. 1t had been reported to the
society. Mr.. Bell said. that death was
due to opiates administered. combined
with the fright caused by the warnings
that his days were numbered.
IL had been learned from DIR CulinAn
that the sedatives used TO prevent the
commissions of the patient were morphine.
hyoscine and chloroform The most care
full examination of the brain and viscefa
failed to find the slightest indication of
the effect of any of the substances named.
and DR.. Hartung declared without hesi-
tation that 1t was certain DR.. Marsh had
not died of poison. In order to settle any
possible doubts that might be raised In
the future. however. DIR. Hartung re-
moved parts OF the brain and important
viscera for chemical and microscopical
tests.
Hunt for Proof Of Rabies.
Both Dr. Brewer and DR.. Won Geison
agreed with DR.. Hartungs conclusions,
and the physicians next turned their at
tention to hunting for indications OF
rabies. Externally. the symptom OF q
congested brain was present, this being
|
positive proof, however, DR.. Won Geison
removed a large section of the spinal cord
to be examined under the microscope.
1t was while engaged In this part OF the
work that the bacteriolozist felt the tiny
pin prick on his forearm. caused by a
flying splinter of bone. He paused In his
work, looked at the spot. from which
drop OF blood oozed. and said coolly:
"Doggone II. I'm stung.'
Better get busy with the Pasteur treat
ment In a hurry" suggested Or. HartunG.
"Oh. suppose III have to. replied DR..
Won Geison, with the air OF resignation.
1--WE taken II twice in the last two
years and now I suppose III have to 80
through it again
Applying a drop of carbolic acid to the
wound. he resumed his CHASTITY task.
Germs Found in Large Numbers.
Less than half an hours work with the
microscope resulted in the announcement
that the "negri bodies or rabies germs
were present in both brain and spinal
cord in unusually large numbers
Miss Edna Thompson, the stenograp1er
employed in DR.. Marshs Office, whose
chin was slightly abraded by the caress or
the same dog that caused DIR. Marsh
death. was greatly annoyed tonight at ex-
aggerated reports Of her condition.
Il haven't got hydrophobia nor any sign
Of it." she said. Il am taking the Pas
teur treatment as a matter of precaution.
since there were three little scratches on
my chin afr the dog caressed me. 1t ID
a good deal OF q bother and not pleasant,
but / am not at all apprehensive."
Miss Thompson is attending to business
a usual.