Of the four patients, four had TB, one had diabetes and another had an unknown illness. After testing them the moment before death and then immediately after, he discovered the patients lost ¾ of an ounce that could not be accounted for, although the results ranged from ½ ounces to 1½ ounces. His results were published in the NY Times and the Journal of American Medicine, but were highly refuted due to his method of measurement and his not being able to tell the exact moment of death. Later he tried to find the soul through X-rays but his results were never published.
It seems the doctor failed, but the urban legend has been proven true.
In 1971 the Texas legislation passed a resolution honoring the killer for his unselfish service to mankind and the “unconventional” way he dealt with overpopulation. It passed unanimously. The resolution was introduced by State Rep. Tim Moor because he wanted to show the legislation did not read things they just nodded their head and raised their hands.
The tale, which is true, surfaced again in 2000 and linked to President Bush who had no hand in the praise of the killer. It most likely made the rounds in an attempt to link him to it and smear his name.
