Part 11 (1/2)
”Can you state whether this coma had been produced by a poisonous dose of morphine?”
”I should say that it was very probable that opium in some form had been exhibited, in a poisonous dose.”
”State specifically why you have adopted that opinion!”
”I found the brain wet, the convolutions flattened; the lungs, heart, liver, and spleen, distended and engorged with dark fluid blood. The vessels of the cerebro-spinal axis were also engorged with black blood, and the capillaries of the brain, upon incision, vented the same fluid.”
”And these signs are indicative of opium poisoning?”
”They are the only evidences of opium poisoning that can be discovered by an autopsy. Of course a chemical a.n.a.lysis, if it should show the presence of the drug, would go very far to corroborate this presumption.”
”Then if the chemical a.n.a.lysis shows the actual presence of opium, would you say that this patient died of opium poisoning?”
”I would!”
”Doctor, it has been suggested that she died of diphtheria. What is your opinion of that?”
”I found evidences in the throat and adjacent parts, that the woman had had diphtheria, but, from the total absence of false membrane, I should say that she was well on the way to a recovery from that disease, at the time of her death.”
”Then from these facts do you think that she died of opium poisoning?”
”I think it most probable, judging by what I found after death.”
”It has been testified by the physician in charge of the case, that the symptoms of morphine poisoning were sufficiently marked for him to deem antidotes necessary prior to death. Would not that corroborate your own conclusions?”
”If correct, it would substantiate my opinion.”
Considering the very positive and damaging nature of this evidence, it was thought that the cross-examination would be very exhaustive. To the surprise of all, Mr. Bliss asked only a few questions.
”Dr. McDougal,” said he, ”did you examine the kidneys?”
”I did.”
”In what condition did you find them to be?”
”They were much shrunken, and smooth. Non-elastic.”
”Is that a normal condition?”
”No, sir. It is a morbid condition.”
”Morbid? That is diseased. Then this woman had some kidney disease? Do I so understand you?”
”Unquestionably!”
”Can you state what disease existed?”
”I should say Bright's disease.”
”Might she not have died of this?”