3-3-1838 County Tipperary Assizes. A Quack. John Ryan, a stupid looking very old man, who could not speak English, was placed at the bar, charged with having bled William Ryan to death, on the 18th June last, at Baronmore. Mr. Scott. Q.C., stated that the crown would not go on with this case, but for the hope that the result of the trial would be such as would warn many illiterate persons, whom, he understood, were going about the county in the practice of bleeding. Daniel Ryan sworn--Deposed that the deceased was his brother; that the prisoner lived in his (witness's) house. Mr. Scott--Do you recollect--- Witness---I'll tell your lordship all about it; the deceased man came to my house, and says he to the prisoner, John, says he, the first turn you bled me you relieved me for 6 years. Counsel--The second turn he relieved him forever. (Laughter) Witness---But now I'm very bad again, says he, pulling out a raiser (razor) (Laughter); here, John, says he, give me a couple of tips now (Laughter);, wid that, My Lord, he gev the raiser to the prisoner, and pulled out a bottle of whiskey (Loud Laughter), and filled a glass for himself; here goes, says he, for courage (Continued laughter); then the prisoner and meself took a glass a-piece (continued laughter); the prisoner then sthrapped the raiser, my lord, and says he to the deceased, William, say he, I'll only tip wan leg now, and thry that for a week (laughter); oh! Says the deceased, I'll be in bed for a week wid wan leg, so you may as well tip every leg I have (great laughter); so wid that, my lord, the deceased tuck off his stockins and settled himself with his back to a chair, and, says he to the prisoner, John, says he, if you tip me at all now, do it well and dhraw blood. So, my lord, the prisoner took the raiser, and gave the deceased tip, tip, tip, on wan leg, (loud laughter), and then tow or three more tips on the other leg, and when he was done, the deceased turned around this way, and looked at his legs bleeding away, and says he, "Ha I like that" (Shouts of laughter). Well my lord he was standing there till he bled about a quart, and thin he fell over the chair, an was a corpse in about an hour. Dr. Bradshaw sworn-Deposed that he examined the corpse, and found the legs full of varicose veins, several of which, and one artery, were cut across, the loss of blood sustained in consequence of the wound was sufficient to cause death. Verdict-Guilty. In consequence of the mitigated circumstances of this particular case, his Lordship would sentence the prisoner to only two weeks prison, if he would promise never to attempt bleeding any one again during his life, and to caution others against the like. This he promised, but with what sincerity time only can tell. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Find the home of your dreams with eircom net property Sign up for email alerts now http://www.eircom.net/propertyalerts