St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-02-24

The Director Objects to Some of Repre-
sentative HOwe'S Statements in tn
Legislature. Quicker Service Prom
iSed for st. JOhnSbury.
Editor CALIFORNIAN:
In the issue of the CALIFORNIAN for Ian
uary 9th, you make in an editorial com
ment regarding the action of the legisla
ture in refusing to provide for the estab
lishment of branch laboratory at ST.
Johnsbury this statement:
Howe of St. Johnsbury championed
the cause of the branch tor the benefit OF
the east side of the state and showed
that it was impossible to get returns
from the state laboratory at Burlington
tor several DAYS. He was
once defending man charged with MUIR
der and the States Attorney had sent
the victims stomach to the laboratory
for analysis to determine if there were
any traces of poisoning. No report came
back and after time it was found that
the stomach had been lost. The loss of
the stomach helped the defendants case
materially"
Fearing that some of these statements
are somewhat misleading and feeling
that you would not wish them to be so.
| write this letter.
The delays in getting returns from the
specimens sent to the State Laboratory
tor examination have been due to the
mail service. These delays can be cut in
two by reporting all cases where haste is
necessary, by telephone. One of the rea-
sons for asking for more money for the
Laboratory of Hygiene was that any re-
ports which would otherwise be DELAYED,
might be so reported. Previously we
have not felt justified in sending these re-
ports by telephone or telegraph EXCEPT
at the request and expense of the sender.
Arrangements are now made so that
specimens from suspected diphtheria
cases sent on the train leaving st. Johns
bury at 4 p. m. can be reported the next
morning by 10 a. m. Tin Is hours). Of
the specimens sent later at night, large
number can be reported the next morn
ing lin "A hours); the remainder, the next
morning lin 30hours). In other words,
OF all specimens sent, only a small por-
ton OF those sent between 4 D. m. and 7
a. m. would be delayed over "a hours.
l have mentioned only specimens from
suspected diphtheria cases as usually the
delay is of less moment in other matters.
An equally speedy report can be had,
however, on other specimens if the neces-
slty tor haste is made known bv the
sender.
In regard to the loss of stomach sent
to the State Laboratory for ANALYSIS.
think that Mr. Howe must be laboring
under a false impression. The homicidal
case referred to was that of State VS..
Waterman and in this instance the
stomach and other organs were received
at the Laboratory, examined and the
innings reported in "due" time to the
States Attorney of the county in which
the case occurred and at the request of
the Attorney-General to the defendants
counsel. The appended letters bear out
these statements.
Trusting that you will give this COM
munication, with the letters, placein your
columns, remain
Very truly yours,
B, H. STONE.
Burlington, VT, Feb. 10, 1909
st; gohnsbury, VT, Feb. 8, 1909.
DR.. B. H. Stone,
Burlington Vt.
Dear Doctor
Replying to yours of the 1st inst, it is |
the Robert Waterman case to which 7
referred.
Yours truly,
HARLAND B. HOWE.
Island Pond, VT, Feb. IL, 1909.
Prof. B. H. Stone,
-, Burlington, Vt.
My dear Sir:
received your letter of February 4th
ma also one OF Feb. IL. In reply, have
o say that have examined the papers
the Waterman case and have found
our report as we'll as that of Prof
hlte, the medico-legal chemist.
1t is my recollection that at the time
GU and Prof. White came to Victory
GU had not finished your examination
Il the intestines and stomach. These
rrgans as we'll as the spinal cord were
!, ltefW VA examined further yyou and
,rof' White, and you sent me detailed
tatement' | have the same at hand.
our process is completely described. |
mould say from careful perusal of the
Leord that a thorough pathological and
analysis of the parts was re-
orted to me. 80 ~
Yours with kind regards