Recently unearthed documents from an autopsy conducted on the assassinated U.S. President William McKinley have unveiled intriguing details about unorthodox experiments carried out by a doctor after the president’s demise. These notes, now available for sale for the first time, shed light on the aftermath of McKinley’s tragic shooting on September 6, 1901, by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
McKinley’s wounds, sustained during the assassination attempt, led to a series of medical interventions, including surgery performed by Dr. Matthew Mann. Despite initial signs of recovery, McKinley’s condition deteriorated, eventually succumbing to pancreatic necrosis on September 14. Mann faced subsequent criticism for his surgical approach, with reports suggesting lapses in wound care that may have contributed to McKinley’s decline.
The lingering uncertainty surrounding McKinley’s prolonged suffering fueled rumors of foul play, with speculation ranging from poisoned bullets to conspiracy theories implicating accomplices. To dispel these rumors, a “bacteriological examination” was commissioned alongside the standard autopsy, supervised by Dr. Herman Matzinger, an expert in blood analysis.
Matzinger’s meticulous examination, detailed in a collection of his personal papers recently discovered by his family, sought to address suspicions of poisoning or bacterial contamination. Surprisingly, Matzinger’s notes include references to experiments where bacterial samples from McKinley’s wounds were injected into rabbits and a dog, although the purpose and outcomes of these tests remain unclear.
While the fate of the test animals is unspecified, Matzinger meticulously documented his findings, including analyses of the weapons used by Czolgosz and McKinley’s blood samples. Despite pressure to expedite his conclusions, Matzinger took his time to reach a verdict, ultimately delivering his report 18 days after McKinley’s passing.
The release of the Matzinger collection offers a rare glimpse into historical autopsy procedures, providing valuable insights into the investigative methods employed following high-profile incidents. These documents, deemed a “treasure” by auction representatives, enrich our understanding of past medical practices and the complexities surrounding historical events like McKinley’s assassination.