Wednesday's Proceedings. DR McINTYRE'S EVIDENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 174, 16 October 1886, Page 5 (Supplement)

Wednesday's Proceedings. DR McINTYRES EVIDENCE.

On the Court resuming this morning, Dr. Patrick Mclntyre was called, and all eyes were turned towards the witness- box The doctor, who was examined by the Attorney - General, said he knew the two prisoners and Mrs Catherine Hall. Id May, 1885, Hall was married, and in August following witness examined Mrs Hall on behalf of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, when ho reported that her health was goed. He was called to attend her in November, when she was suffering sickness and vomiting. She was ill about a fortnight, but he attributed her sickness t© pregnancy. He next saw her professionally at the time of her confinement on June 19th. The labourwas rather prolonged, but otherwise there was nothing special about the confinement. After her confinement she did not continue to progress favourably. About the fourth day he observed sickness, retching, and vomiting. These symptoms continued till the night of the 15th, or early on the morning of the 16th August, with intermissions of sickness. She complained of pains in the pit of the stomach and liver at first, and gradually extending over the whele of the bowels, including the region of the bladder. She also complained of a choking aensation^t the throat, and of an itching of the skin. Before and during the period of sickness, her skin was of a dull jaundiced colour. When he saw her on Sunday, August 15th, ehe was in a state of collapse. Her eyes were sunken and glassy, with intense itching of the eyelids. She complained of feeling as if her nose were enlarged, and the nostrils were sore and irritable. She could speak feebly. Witness considered her state very critical. Her pulse was rapid (116), feeble, and Irregular. He was utterly unable to discover the cauee of her sickness shortly after her confinement, and treated her symptoms generally. His Honor : Did you prescribe antimony "Witness : No, your Honor. His Honor : Nor any medicine in which antimony was present ? Witness said he did not to his knowledge. He did not prescribe colchicum or arsenic. There were none of the poisons named in his prescriptions. He analysed some of his medicines — the Bismuth powder portion of which had been administered subsequent to August 15th — but found no traces of antimony. He produced all the prescriptions given to Mrs Hall from June 6 to August 15. The consultation with Dr. Drew on July 14th was suggested by witness, and did uot come from the prisoner Hall. A change took place thereafter in her treatment. * Ipecacuahana was preset ibed, and ehe seemed better for a day or two. A second consultation took place on July 28 with Dr. Stackpole, again at witness's suggestion. He suggested the doctor also. It would be incorrect to say that Hall suggested either consultation or doctor. He was unable, after a lengthened consultation, to discover the causes of Mrs Hall's symptoms. After the second consultation, Bhe was to be fed on lime water and whey, and nourishing injections of beef tea were ordered. Bismuth was also prescribed. After this consultation there was a slight improvement in her state, but the sick ness returned. A third consultation was held on August 12th, and was attended by Drs. Lovegrove, Drew, and witnes3. This consultation was called because Mrs Hall's health was failing, and ehe was gradually getting worse. Witness suggested this consultation, and not the prisoner Hall. No cause could be discovered for the woman's sicknees, prostration and weakness. It was decided to give her ice water by the mouth, and injections consisting of beef tea, pancreatine, pepsine or brandy. In July witness had examined her urine, having previously told Hall that he intended doing bo in case there was some dialectine or kidney disease. Witness had previously attended Mrs Hall's mother (Mrs Gain), who died from liver disease and diabetes. He informed Hall of the result of Ids investigations, and that he had failed to discover either sugar or albumen. On August the 13th he got jsome urine and vomit and analysed it, it having been left for him at Watkin'e chemist shop. He took it to the Hospital, where he examined it with Dr. Drew. They treated it for metallic poisoning, the symptoms taken*as a whole resembling those of poisoning by arsenic, antimony, or othei irritant poison. In making an analysis they used Reinsche's test, and found a violet coloured metallic deposit on copper that showed the presence of poison. He placed a portion of the urine which he had Analysed into one bottle, and a portion of the vomit analysed into another, and on Saturday (next day) sent them by express to Professor Black, Ddnedin. He did not bear the result of Professor Black's analysis before the arrest

-on-Sanday, the 15th. -Mrs Hall- told him that she bad been very siok indeed, and that the' ice-water given her tateted bad. Mr Joynb raised the point that a communication made by a patient to a doctor was inadmiseable under the Evidence Further Amendment Act, of 1885, unless by' consent of the person making the communication. His Honor said that, as at present advised, the interpretation sought to be placed on the Aot startled him. Witness could relate what Mrs Hall said to him to account for her feelings and sentiments. ' Witness continued : • Mrs Hall complained of the ice-water, and said it was very bitter, and made her sick. He examined a portion of the ice-water with Dr. Drew and found that it contained antimony. He then informed Inspector Broham, and laid an information against prisoners, whe were arrested. After the arrest that Sunday night, 'he visited Mrs Hall, who was in a state of great mental distrees, but physically was better than in the morning. After the arrest she steadily improved, and he ceased to attend her in about 3 weeks. From that time he saw none of former jtymptcms, and no recurrence of sickness. For a day or two the injections were continued, and she then took sufficient nourishment by the mouth Two bottles he sent to Professor Black, and the others he gave him on August 28th, the latter having been obtained from the nurse, Mrs Ellison The bottles sent to Black were corked, sealed, and stamped. Witness had no recollection of Mrs Hall suffering from mild fever, but she suffered from inflammation and succulation of the right breast for fifteen days, recovering three weeks after the confinement. This would account for her earlier illness. Never before had he experienced antimonialjpoieoniog, or poisoning by colchicum. Mr Stout : Is antimony a poison ? Witness : Metal antimony is nrit necessary. Tartar emetic, which is "antimony and tartar acid, is an irritant poison. To Mr Joynt : I got urine to September 14th from the nurse, but did not analyse it nor give it to anyone for analysis. Up to the confinement Mrs Hall was fairly well ; bismuth was given to allay sickness and check diarrhoea. On May 7th prescribed bismuth and belladonna. She must have suffered from some disorder of the digestive system. On May 23rd he prescribed chloral. She was suffering from an irritating cough. He thought Mrs Hall was of bilious habits. He would not expect her to be sick for more than a few hours, if at all, from the inflammation of breast. Mr Joynt : When did it first occur to you that her symptoms were umuual for her condition ? Witness . Very soon after vomiting. He attributed it to enteritis or gastritis, and ulceration of stomach, but discovering no blood he concluded there were no open soree in her stomach. Yellowness and bluish tinge under her eyes were quite consistent with severe biliousness. To Hall he suggested the first consultation. Hall was quite agreeable to further medical advice. I named Drs. Lovegrove and Hogg, as Dr. Drew and Hall fixed on Dr. Drew. Witneaß had no recollection then of laying anything as to the cauee of illnces or of keeping excreta for examination. It wa« only the last part of her illness (for a week or ten days) that he discovered the skin ot the heel was peeling and dryness of flesh. Throughout her illness temperature of body generally was about normal. Op July 19th he prescribed laudanum, probably for external application. A week later he prescribed digitalis and belladonna. If taken in large quantities digitalis would produce such symptoms as he was combatting with He wa? positive that he suggested to Hall the consultation on July 28tb, and that he first suggested Dr. Stackpole. Hall concurred immediately, and sent for Dr. Stack pole. The latter suggested that the symptoms might be due to brain affection, and witness agreed. Bismuth if administered in large doses is poisonous, and produces sickness, vomiting, purging and pain. Bismuth was con tinued from July 28th till the morning of August 12th. It might also produce burning pains in the throat, but not if taken in such quantities as he had prescribed. Several days before the third consultation he was much struck with the similarity of the symptoms to those produced by an irritant poison. It occurred to him that it was a poison it would most probably be arsenic or antimony. That impression was formed spontaneously, and not in consequence of a communication by anybody Dr. Hogg sent nothing to him till aftethe arrest. ,A few days before August 12th Dr. Drew met him, and inquired alter Mrs Hall's health. The way the question was put incited witness to ask — " Are you thinking of antimony V Dr. D*ew made no answer, At the consultation he did not inform Dr. Lovegrove, the senior consultant, of his suspicions of the similarity of the symptoms to those of irritant poisons. No conclusion was arrived at as to the cause of the illness. Neither Dr. Drew nor witness communicated to the other consultant that it might be antimony. Dr. Lovegrove appeared to be quite at fault as to the cause of the illness. The analysis extended over the whole of the afternoon of August 13th. Reinsch's test was used and we perceived a violet metallic deposit on the copper. That satisfied him that he would be fully justified in sending po tions of the urine and vomit to Professor Black for further analysis. Judging trom the intensity cf the colour, there were indications of large quantities of antimony. Witness fully detailed the steps taken in the analysis made. By Mr Joynt : Taylor says that indications of violet red show that quantities of poison are small. You differ from Mr Taylor, Witness considered that the indications showed the presence of large quantities of antimony. The colour was not violet red, but violet and purple. It was usual in consultations to confide to brother consultants in matters throwing any light on the case in hand. It was not a fact so far as witness was aware that Hall had shown a desire from the first to have hie wife's exreta examined. He always evidenced great solicitude concerning his wife's health and once complained to witness personally concerning his inattention to Mrs Hall. Prisoner never ip\d witness that if he were not more attentive he would have to call in another doctor. Witness was not aware of having been so informed by Hall. He bad previously attended Mr and Mrs Hall, senr., who had ceased to employ him. This was in consequence of idea's on Mrs Hall's part of hie attention. With the exception of one bottle of wine he did not remember any bottles of excreta sent him which he did not examined. Did not -remember a boy, Wilson, coming into the bslliard-room of the Grosvenor Hotel, and saying that he was sent with a vessel containing some excreta for witness to examine. Had no recollection of promising Hall that he would not again/prescribe for his wife till he had examined her excreta. The suggestion that Hall's houae should bo connected' with witness's at night first came from witness. Had never before met with a case of antimonial poisoning but had; with'a'eaSe qf ■ hydrochloric add poisoning. That-'w'as 'an instance of aouto poisoning, terminating in

death, ooeurring at- Timaru a few years ago. On September 13 he Bent some urine to Professor Black. ' ' With the exception of one little pan in the sick-room, he had not examined any of the cooking uteneils at' Woodlands. The prisoner Hall has suffered a good deal from sciatica and asthma* and witness had injected morphia in very Urge quantities for sciatica. ". ' Mr Joynt : What is the effect of -morphia injected in large quantities ? Witness : A powerful soporific effect. Ifc relieves the nerves and has a very' power* f ful effect on the brain — first stimulating and then depressing. His suspicions of antimonial poisoning were aroused on Friday, but he took no steps before the Sunday to prevent a continuance of the consequences of antimonical poieoning. At this stage, the cross-examination was interrupted by the luncheon adjournment.

Christohurch, October 13. JUDGING by the progress yesterday with the trial of the prisoners Hall and Houston, the case will be a very protracted one, for, notwithstanding that the sitting occupied seven hours and a-half, practical lj. only one witness was disposed of. This was the nurse, Mrs Ellison. At the outset of the day's proceedings evidence was given by Edward Hugh Cameron (another gentleman who had given his hard-earned savings of years to Hall and Meason.and besides being victimised, had had his name forged by Hall). The next witness was Mr Gualter Falairet, an official in the Stamp Office, who , was called to prove a deed. Mr Knubley, a solicitor from who was not 'called in the Court below, 'then detailed with great minuteness the hearing of the will of the late Captain Gain and his wife; and the various trusts growing out of them. These witnesses completed the first branch ot the cabe which the Crown had undertaken to establish, viz., motive,— the fact that Hall was in an embarrassed financial position, and that by the death of his wife he would derive pecuniary benefit. Attention was then directed to the sick room— the seat of the tragedy — and to that end the nurse Ellison was called. The old lady told her story in a plain, straightforward manner, but the most was made of her examination-in-chief by Mr White, who bad to be repeatedly prompted as to the questions to put to the Attorney-General, Indeed, it seemed a pity that Sir Robert Stout had not himself taken in hand so important a witness. Her cross-examination lasted over four hours, two hours and a quarter of this time being occupied by Mr Joynt, and the remainder by Mr Hay, and the witness acquitted herself admirably. Mr Joynt was at first excessively polite, but finding hig witness completely self- possessed, and failing toshake her testimony, ho mildly attempted to browbeat her, cautioning her, however, that as he wanted to get facts *' she must not loose her temper." The old lady was, however, equal to the occasion, and instantly replied : " I don't in tend to do so," in a tone of slight rebuke which carried with it the conviction that she meant to be as good as her word. At length Mr Joynt completed his cross-examination, the only points which he had succeeded in making being that the prisoner Hall was exceedingly anxious as to the state of his wife's health, that the consultations were at his wish, and that a portion of the urine and vomit were handed to the medical gentleman by his instructions. At 3 30, Mr Hay took up the running on behalf of Miss Houston. The witness denied that she was piqued at Miss Houston attempting to usurp her position in the Hall household, but frankly confessed that she was offended at what Dr. Stackpole had told concerning herself, she assuming Mies Houston's allegations on the subject to be true. On being asked, Why was she offended with Dr. Stackpole? she replied: Because she had known him many years, and had nursed him long ago in London. The witness was generally polite to the young eentleman who had been entrusted with the task of putting her through her facings, but when questions which she deemed trifling or vexatious were put she answered jauntily and originally, which showed that she considered the time of the Court wag being wasted. Such was her manner throughout For instance, when Mr Hay asked : " What meals did you give Mrs Hall ?" the witness saucily replied : "Such meals as a lady would bo accustomed to take at such a time." The Crown were so patisfied with the conduct of the witness that they did not deem it necessary to re-examine her at any length, and the judge, on telling her to stand down from the witness-box, could not resist the opportunity of kindly thanking her for her evidence. Probably nereafter he will have something to say in compliment to the old nurse. As I have already said, the witness was under examination til 1 the Court roee Very great interest is being taken here in the case, and large numbers of ladies sit in C urt from its opening till the rising at night. Both the papers publish very full reports of the proceedings, no less than five editions being struck off nightly, and I am told that the sale is something enormous. The female prisoner was to-day more resolute in her bearing, while Hall was perfectly cool, his demeanont being calmly attentive.