El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-01-22


Poison in Mrs Majors Body
Further cross examination. the witness
stated that he made test OF one-haiL OF a
three ounce sample Of the spine Of Mrs.
Christine Major. and that the one and one
half ounces gave mirror which showed
me other specimen Of one and One-half
ounces showed 1885 Of a grain OF white
arsenic; that II was percepllDle 20 me eye
without the aid Of a microscope. The next
test, he said, was made on so grams or the
liver, 40 grams of the kidneys, and 10 grams
OF the spleen. The tube contained sulphide
Of arsenic which reduced to 1900 Of a grain
OF white arsenic
All three, he said were averaged and com
Of 100 pounds, showing the body on a basis
Of 10 Opounds. showing the body to contain
II equally distributed, p grains Of white
On redirect examination. the witness
stated that he believed that there would be a
difference IN the ulIIuslon OF arsenic JllrO0s n
out the body depending upon the tlIle AFTER
death, and that the distribution would be
more equal the longer the time after death,
owing TO the volatile nature OF the sub
Counsel for the state introduced in evil
dence one OF the tops Of the jars in which
stated that a portion Of the top was tested
and contained no arsenic that the rubber
samples.
Explains Arsenic Symptoms.
On being asked by the state TO explain the
symptoms Of acute arsenic poisoning the
began with burning sensation In the stoIn-
ach followed by abdominal pains, followed
by nausea and vomiting. The symptoms
VIII appear at variable length Of time
after arsenic has been taken, If the arsenic
Is soluble compound, the symptoms will
uefelop earlier, and If the stomach Is emp
~ If a quantity of arsenic is taken, it will
be followed by collapse, Clammy skin,
olarrhoeas rapid pulse and lapse Of con-
seriousness These symptoms continue in in
creased volume until death.
During an interim Of the examination one
n raHn Hrn q In
dence made from a test Of one Of the sam
pies from the body of Miss Major was
1891 uuuer the microscope and viewed by
tLo members OF the jury 1t was com
pared with photograph of an illustration
ron an authority showing the crystals de-
Felopeu in a test for arsenic.
The witness described and compared the
symptoms OF acute, subacute, and chronic
arsenic poisoning.
The witness stated that the rate Of the
elimination Of arsenic after giving the first
dose, was in proportion to the condition of
the person. that arsenic is eliminated in
five or six days and from this the witness
eXpIalned the different kinds and phases Of
Three Grains Fatal Dose.
According to what the witness had been
able 10 learn from his own experience or
from the authorities, the smallest fatal dose
Of arsenic was two grains. UsuaIIv three
grains is considered the minimum for a
grown person to produce death. and larger
doses have been taken without producing IA
tai results
Says Mrs. Major Died Of Poisoning.
After recess until a-30 p. m, on direct
examination Dr. Rogers testified that ac-
cording to his opinion. Mrs Christine Major
dled OF arsenic poisoning. He stated further
tha5 he was employed by judge z. L. Med
Ter 70 make the pOstmOrtem examination
upon her body and that he was paid by
the state OF New Mexico for his services
he testified that he was about 10 days
46O given some tablets by sheriff James
Hunter, Of OterO county for examination
and that he made an examination and found
mar they contained one-fourth Of grain
Of morphine each
On cross-eZamination witness testified that
the microscope that he used In the after
nee. he thought TO about so diameters- That
ne mad one IN his office that magnified 81
diameters-
He said that he made the test Of a mart
Of the TOP OF one Of the jars last Sunday;
be understood that something about a ton
being used in dipping up the fluid from the
body Of Eudora Major had been mentioned.
that he was satisfied before making the test
me witness was questioned infinitely by
y soLlS OF al OF the symptoms already
testified to in arsenic poisoning he adj
United that the symptoms OF arsenic poison
ING are similar to those in some other
kinds OF poisoning.
". H. Seamon Recalled
, Prof ". H Seamon was then recalled to
the stand by the state He explained the
making Of a test Of white arsenic in a tube
% comparison to one made from a test Of
the samples from the body of Eudora Ma
lor- He stated that all the tubes made by !
him which were introduced in evidence were Z
"a me form Of sulphide Of arsenic, and not 4
DR.. B. NJ. Worsham Recalled.
Dr. 3 n WorshaIl, Of FL Paso, was re- I
called to the stand by the state He was
additionally qualified as a physician and
surgeon He was asked by Mr.. FulIen, for I
he state, the two following questions based 4
lpon practieally an Of the material evidence (
HERETOFORE introduced by the state in the
'ases Of Eudora Major and Mrs. Christine
Major:
Is Asked Hypothetical Question.
VIII ask you state doctor
physician and an expert, if you were called
o attend young woman about q years !
p age VINO mad been apparently in good
health, and who was taken sick about
L m, with general weakness, nausea and
7omiuns and thirst; who later improved
.yLle maj yet continued to be nauseated;
Who became worse about the sixth day OF
Ter Illness with severe diarrhoea. cold. clam (
ny skin, prostration, collapse. deifrfuu mus {
.ular weakness, fncontinenece Of urine and {
Who continued in coma and died on about
ne tenth day Of her illness; whose body
vas embalmed and buried in a metallic con-
ainer, and then eNhumed for examination
bout the 2O4th day after death whose body
N the posJnortem examination showed to
ne uHalCeo eye marked evidence Of fatty
degeneration Of the liver; and on micro
coplc examination showed a marked fatty
degeneration Of the liver with granl1ation
ecrosis Of the inner surface Of the mucous
1ernD rane OF the stomach, an acute hemor-
ether with granulatiOn in areas and cloud
az Of the cells Of the kidneys: and whose I
ferr spleen and kidneys on ANALYSIS gave
n average Of about 1900 of a grain of I
White arsenic per ] 1-3 ounces of tissue /
he embalming fluid being found free from 1
rsenic; What would you say was the cause (
Z deathg'
Over the objections offered by the defence
be witness answered: Arsenic poisonIngI
Another Question.
Now I viii ask you to state doctor as Z
physician, and as expert If YOU were +
allied TO attend a woman who had gone
radualiy into poor health, with loss Of
ppette, who made complaint Of sickness
no 1alntness; who had signs Of Indigestion
BIC ABDOMINAL pains; whose color and skin
scane waIyi who had progressive weak ( ,
9ss ana loss Of weight: who had numbness
no ungLng and gradually lost muscular
over and was lying in bed exhausted
naclated and complaining of pains in the
AlrenlIles. and was drOwsy towards the
St consti pated, knee jerks, exaggerated
"a later lost as paralysis came on. this
1ralysls beginning at the toes and gradu-
ny advancing upwards; and who died after
SICKNESS OF several months whose body :
as embalmed and buried. and after about
months was eXhumed for examination
1stnlortem showing the body in a good
ate OF preservation but showing to the
laAued eye no sufficient cause for death. !
nose organs on examination under the mi (
oscope showed fatty degeneration Of
-e uyer. a congestion of the spleen 4
arhed hemorrhagic inflammation Of both . ,
uneys and q degeneration in the nerves of :
-e posterlor columns Of the spinal cord.
ID II samples Of the heart, liver kidneys I