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this agent, have taken place in this country, one in New York, and 

 the other in Cincinnati. 



As every fact connected with the toxicological effect of these agents 

 is important, we shall briefly record the history of these cases as 

 derived from the published statements of them which have appeared. 

 The case in New York has not been reported in the medical journals ; 

 but the following sketch of the facts, which appeared in evidence 

 before the Coroner's jury, is sufficiently full for our purpose, and is 

 believed to be substantially correct: — 



" Coroner Walters yesterday held an inquest, at the house of John 

 Howard, 50 Cherry Street, on the body of Patrick Murphy, a na- 

 tive of Ireland, aged 28 years. From the testimony adduced, it 

 appears that the deceased was married about four months since, and 

 resided at Mamaroneck. For some months past the deceased had 

 been afflicted with fistula; otherwise he had apparently good health. 

 About four weeks since, the deceased came to this city to have an 

 operation performed. Last Monday four weeks ago, the deceased 

 attended the clinic of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and 

 was operated upon by Dr. Parker; previous to the operation, the 

 deceased inhaled chloroform, under the direction of Dr. Parker, until 

 insensibility was produced. The operation was unattended with 

 pain, and after the operation was over, deceased inquired whether 

 the doctor had done. In a short time afterwards, he was able to 

 walk home. Dr. Beers visited him the same day, and continued his 

 visits daily. The health of deceased seemed to improve ; his appe- 

 tite was good, and, in every respect, appeared to be doing well. 

 Drs. Beers and Otto Rotton informed the deceased, last week, that 

 to make the cure effectual, it would be necessary to perform another 

 operation, as one of the sinuses had not been opened. The deceased 

 expressed a willingness to have the operation performed, if they 

 would administer to him the chloroform. Yesterday morning, Drs. 

 Beers and Rotton called upon the deceased, and, previous to per- 

 forming the operation, dropped upon a sponge about thirty drops of 

 chloroform, and caused the deceased to inhale it. The drug did not 

 cause complete insensibility. The operation was performed in about 

 a minute; the deceased showed signs of pain, by placing his hand 

 on the part operated upon. In a moment, his pulse, which was full 

 and natural, sank. Stimulants and frictions were applied — the tem- 

 poral artery opened, no blood flowed — life was extinct. Dr. James 

 R. Wood made a post-mortem examination of the body; the features 

 of the deceased were calm, countenance pale, and the pupils of the 

 eyes much dilated — the anterior aspect of the body natural — the 

 posterior livid. On opening the head, the brain and membranes 

 were natural and healthy — the lungs were found studded with tuber- 

 cles — in the right lung was an abscess the size of a hen's egg, filled 

 with pus — there was, also, an abscess in the left lung — the lower 

 portions of the lungs were congested with blood — there were, also, 



