MUNN ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1930, Page 5

MUNN ON TRIAL

MEDICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE

(By Telegraph-Press Association).

AUCKLAND, May 23. Alter Muim left the witness box, -Vtr Northcroft proceeded to call his other witnesses tor the defence. ‘ Several of these were people; who Know the Afunns, gave evidence that a.s far as they knew, the .Alimns got on well together.

h. 1. Vor ley, Professor of Cheniistry at Auckland University, gave evidence regarding the bitter taste of strychnine. Witness said he had earned out experiments with salts and strychnine, and lie could not detect a lessening of the bitterness when a teaspoonfid of salts was used in strychnine. There was no comparison between the bitterness of salts and strychnine, as strychnine was intensely bitter. He could not conceive anyone failing to detect strychnine.

“CHANGE OF LIFE” THEORY,

Kelnneto Mackenzie, surgeon prac-

tising in Auckland for 17 years, said he had heard the evidence of Mrs Gill, -Mrs Brown, and Dr Dudding. “I have endeavoured, from the evidence, to reconstruct the medical history of Airs jVlunn’s illness,” said witness. Witness said lie had never seen the symptoms produced by strychnine, and lie could not, thererore, give a firsthand opinion. From his study of evidence, lie came to the conclusion that strychnine had nothing to tfo with the high blcod pressure as described by Dr Dudding. The post mortem had revealed no signs of diseases commonly associated with high pressure. There was a third matter which might give rise to a heightened blood pressure, and this was the change of life. Witness quoted from recent medical works in support of his statement that the change of life brought about many symptoms associated with the nervous system. His Honour: “Do I understand from you that she had not touched sviychnine?”

Witness: “I cannot say that. I can only say that the attack was not an attack which could have been caused

by strychnine, but in other parts it was'conflicting.” Tne doctor said the symptoms of the attacks mentioned by Dr Dudding on different occasions were in keeping iv.th symptoms produced during a women’s change of life.