Part 17 (1/2)
”No, sir, it could not be said.”
”How was the pulse?”
”The pulse was slow, but that is what we expect with this form of death.”
”So that the slow pulse would not necessarily indicate poison?”
”Not at all.”
”Was the breathing stertorous?”
”Not in the true sense. Respiration was very slow, and there was a slight difficulty, but it was not distinctly stertorous.”
”How were the pupils of the eyes? Contracted?”
”No, they were dilated if anything.”
”Now then, Doctor--please consider this. Dr. Meredith told us that a symptomatic effect of morphine death, would be pupils contracted and then dilating slowly as death approached. Now did you observe the contracted pupils?”
”No, sir.”
”What effect does atropine have upon the pupils?”
”It dilates them.”
”Dr. Meredith admitted that he injected atropine. In your opinion would that account for the dilatation of the pupils just previous to death, which you say that you yourself observed?”
”I should say yes.”
”I will only detain you another minute, Doctor.” Mr. Bliss then asked for and obtained the aluminum hypodermic case and handed it to Dr.
Fisher. He asked:
”Doctor, do you recognize that?”
”Yes, it is mine.”
”How long has it been out of your possession?”
”I missed it on the day of Miss Sloane's death. I think now that I may have left it there by accident.”
Mr. Bliss then yielded the witness, and Mr. Munson began a re-direct examination, which was practically a cross-examination, because this witness, though technically for the prosecution, was in effect a witness for the defence. The lawyer tried with all his cunning to confuse the old doctor, but the longer he continued the more he damaged his own cause. About the only thing which he brought out that might help him, was the following in relation to the hypodermic case.
”How do you know that this case is yours?”
”Because it is made of aluminum. I had it made to order. I do not think that such another is yet on the market, though the house that made mine for me, has asked permission to use my model.”
”So this is certainly yours?”