Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-03-06
witness in regard to his physical con-

witness in regard to his physical con-
dition.
DIR. F. E. Strout of Gardiner was
called at this point. Witness testified
as to treating Rafter Immediately aft
er the accident. The wounds were
! first washed and then the man was
prepared for an operation. Witness
found that an area two by three
inches of the brain was exposed and
that a good deal of hemorrhage was
noticeable. Witness found a crack in
the skull extending down in line to
the base. Various scalp wounds were
discovered Five or six hours after
the accident the man came to his
senses enough so he could speak, but
was delirious. The delirium for the
first part was of d slight nature, but
it suddenly grew worse so that for
three nights It took two doctors, two
nurses and one man to hold the pa
tient in bed. and on the occasion of
one night it was necessary TO strap
the man in bed. The wounds about
the head indicated serious injury to
the BRAIN according to witness.
F'orty-eight hours after the accident
DR.. Strout noticed air under the Skin
which meant nothing but puncture
somewhere in one of the lungs. 1t
was discovered upon later examina-
ton that where transverse fracture
of the breast bone moved back and
forth at every respiration some part
of the breast bone punctured one or
the lungs and let air out under the
skin. DR.. Strout found also distinct
fracture at the outer end of the collar
bone and that the right little finger
was crushed. The patient was in such
a state of delirium that it was impos-
sible to treat the injury to the collar
bone Witness was asked by Judge
Maher if Mr.. Rafter's injuries were
permanent and he replied that if he
continued to be in as good condition
as he was at the present he would be
lucky. the natural course following
such severe injuries might result in
epilepsy. possibly insanity and mental
impairment.
The patient had lost deep refiexes
and witness was almost positive that
one of the aforementioned troubles
would in time probably result.
DR.. s. o. Clason and DR.. B. E. Lamb,
both physicians in Gardiner. testified
briefly corroborating the testimony OF
DR.. Strout Both witnesses would not
expect any improvement in the con-
ditien of Mr. Rafter but would look
for more serious results later.
DR.. Arthur w. Strout of Gardiner
was called and by means of chart,
which he had drawn, illustrated the
nature of the wounds of Rafter. Judge
Maher conducted the examination
Rafter was in such condition that 1t
was not necessary to administer ether
in treating the mans injuries. In the
right ear, the hearing is about normal,
while the left ear has about one sixth
of its normal hearing. The cross-e -ex-
animation was brief.
Court then adjourned until 9.45 this
morning.
| On libel for divorce alleging cruel
and abusive treatment brought by
Mrs Margaret Liggett against John T..
I4iggett and heard on March 3, a de-
cree of divorce was granted by Justice
Spear on Wednesday, March 4.
Mrs. Liggett was represented by At
torney Frank G.. harrington of this
city. Norman L. Bassett, Esq, her
original counsel. was unable to be
present on account of illness.
The custody of the two minor chill
dren was awarded to the libelant, Mrs.
Liggett, until further order of the
court, with the right of visitation on