MartinLeeAnderson.com

Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Charles Helms Jr
Henry Dickens
Charles Enfinger
Patrick Garrett
Raymond Hauck
Henry Mcfadden
Joseph Walsh II
Kristin Schmidt


Science for suffocation

Repeatedly, we in Bay county are told there is no science to back up Dr. Adams' findings, with regard to the "laryngospasm". Here is an excerpt from an article out of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 90 (6): 818-31P (2003) titled "Direct visualization of the larynx during inhalation of ammonia"

"Graduated ammonia inhalation is a valid tool for research into upper airway reactivity. Increasing ammonia concentrations are inhaled intermittently until a sudden decrease in inspiratory airflow (a `glottic stop') occurs, producing a characteristic pneumotachograph waveform. The threshold concentration producing a glottic stop is affected by several factors, including general anaesthesia, smoking, and respiratory tract infections. It has been assumed previously that glottic stop equates to reflex partial adduction of the vocal cords, although the mechanism has never been directly observed."

"Complete vocal cord adduction occurred in eight of these, coincident in time with ammonia exposure. In those traces showing a partial reduction in air flow, complete transient (<0.1 s) symmetrical laryngeal closure was seen on video analysis." - Click here to read abstract 825 - 826 (pdf)

I asked Dr. Siebert if he has ever reviewed this study. His only response was "in humans?". Yes Dr. Siebert, in humans, humans without sickle cell trait! Perhaps this information would have proved useful to the doctor, had he done the research. -

Ammonia causes glottic stop or glottic closure. This fact cannot be expressed enough, considering how many people, including doctors such as Dr. Thogmartin and Dr. Di Maio for instance, say there is no scientific evidence to support Dr. Adams conclusions. More specifically, they claim a spasm of the vocal cords, caused by ammonia, is only a hypothesis. These doctors who have so carelessly criticized Dr. Adams findings as unscientific, should, at the least, write Adams a letter of apology.

"The problem basically is, when you get down to it, you have to have a spasm or contraction of the vocal cords, you know, and it has to be due to this ammonia. But there is no proof that this happens, I mean its speculation, you know. I could say its a zercon death-ray or something like that. You to have some scientific basis, and the only time this laryngeal spasm has been reported has been in cases, you know, were there is massive explosions; tanks breaking open, or railroad cars and things like that." - Dr. Di Maio /

Interesting enough, Di Maio also stated the following:

"You would have to occlude that airway continuously for a couple of minutes... theres no evidence that airway was continuously occluded for this time." - Dr. Di Maio

Dr. Eichner, who is supposed to be the defenses "star" witness, is also guilty of making irresponsible and completely inaccurate comments.

“No scientific evidence exists to support the hypothesis of Dr. Adams,” - Dr.Randy Eichner / Click here for article.

Burnie Thompson called the above quote to Dr. Di Maio's attention, and asked if the doctor agreed.

Dr. Di Maio's response, "Yeah, I would agree with him, and thats it. You can have a hypotheses, but in the end, you're going to have to prove it. I can't find, I couldn't find anything in the medical literature about laryngospasm associated with inhalation of smelling salts."

There is more.

EFFECT OF AGE ON THE SENSITIVITY OF UPPER AIRWAY REFLEXES

R. J. ERSKINE, F.R.C.ANAES.*, P. J. MURPHY, F.R.C.ANAES., J. A. LANGTON, F.R.C.ANAES. and G. SMITH, F.R.C.ANAES.

University Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LEI 5WW

*Present address, for correspondence: Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH

"We have recorded the threshold concentration of inhaled ammonia vapour required to elicit reflex glottic closure (NH3TR) in 102 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (39 female) aged 17-96 yr in order to assess the effect of age upon upper airway reflex sensitivity. A single measurement of sensitivity was made in each subject using a system delivering small concentrations of ammonia vapour for single intermittent breaths to the upper airway and recording glottic closure using an inspiratory pneumotachograph. We found a strong positive correlation between age and NH3TR, indicating a decrease in upper airway reflex sensitivity with increasing age. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 70: 574–575)" Click here

So according to the "scientific" evidence found in the study described above, two very important facts are painfully obvious. First would be the fact that glottic stop was produced with "small concentrations of ammonia vapor". Secondly, the younger individuals exhibited a higher upper airway reflex sensitivity to ammonia than that of older test subjects.

Below is a excerpt from the abstract of a study of the sensitivity of the upper airway reflexes in people who smoke cigarettes, compared to those who do not.

"UARS [upper airway reflex sensitivity] was measured by recording the threshold concentration of dilute ammonia vapour required to stimulate reflex glottic closure." Click here for abstract

Please do not dilute the above referenced information with, "Martin did not smoke". It only goes to show that a laryngeal spasm is not only real, it is well documented. However, I know some will want to dismiss it because of the smoker's aspect, just know the non-smokers were also brought to glottic closure.


Excerpt from the Chest Journal 2005 / 127~550-557

"One such reflex is the glottic-stop reflex to inhaled ammonia. The reflex closure of the glottis in response to irritant stimuli can be detected by a pneumotachograph. Assessed in this way, the glottic-stop reflex has been shown to be valid and repeatable, and has been advocated as a valuable tool in preanesthetic assessment."


Another study from the University Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LEI 5WW

"Upper airway reflex sensitivity (UARS) was assessed using small concentrations of ammonia vapour as a stimulus to upper airway receptors. A threshold concentration of ammonia, at which reflex glottic closure occurred in response to the ammonia stimulus" -Click here for abstract

 

Below is an excerpt from another article from the Oxford Journals. A study was done to find out if ethyl alcohol depresses upper airway reflex sensitivity. The ammonia stimulus technique was used to measure the effects.

"Using a technique that we have previously described, intermittent breaths of low concentrations of ammonia vapour were used to measure the effect of ethyl alcohol 0.55–0.66 g/kg on UARS in ten healthy male volunteers. The depression of upper airway reflexes that occurred following ingestion of ethyl alcohol was maximum at 60 mm and returned to baseline by 150 mm. This dose of ethyl alcohol was insufficient to produce statistically significant depression of UARS." - Click here for abstract

I have a question I leave open to any of the doctors backing Dr. Siebert's findings. Those accusing Dr. Adams of a politically motivated ruling, one that is only a "hypothesis", and has "no scientific evidence" in the literature to support it. My question is, does learning of the above "scientific evidence" warrent cause for you to, at the least, rethink your position?

"In tests of concentrations required to stimulate reflex glottis closure (NH3TR) in healthy nonsmokers, Erskine et al. (1993) determined that the closure reflex of elderly people (86-95 years old) with a mean NH3TR of 1,791ppm (SEM ,52 ppm) is less responsive to ammonia vapor than that of younger people (21-30 years old) with a mean NH3TR of 571 ppm (SEM, 41.5 ppm)" - Click here for article

A number of the experts on the wrong side of this argument have stated the only time there has ever been a documented case of laryngospasm is in spills, like a wrecked tanker or chemical plant explosion. In other words, only in extremely high concentrations.

Same study.

"Threshold for reflex glottis closure Single breath 14 subjects, 86-95 years old from cohort of 102 healthy, nonsmoking males, females Erskine et al. 1993 1,791 (mean NH3TR; SEM, 52) - Click here for article

Excerpt - Effects of topical benzocaine and lignocaine on upper airway reflex sensitivity.

"using low concentrations of ammonia as a stimulus to upper airway receptors" - Abstract

Excerpt - "A comparison of the effects of codeine and tramadol on laryngeal reactivity"

"Laryngeal reactivity was measured by the response to the inhalation of dilute ammonia vapour. The minimum ammonia concentration required to induce a glottic stop was recorded prior to drug administration, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min thereafter. Psychometric tests were performed at 0, 45 and 105 min to detect any relationship between central sedation and changes in laryngeal reflex activity. The concentration of ammonia required to induce a glottic stop increased in all treatment groups, but more so in the tramadol groups." - Click here for Abstract

Here is one for Dr. Siebert, since he is apparently unaware of those listed above involving "humans?".

"Laryngospasm was induced in eight tracheotomized dogs by hyperventilating each dog, and then applying 0.1 M ammonia to the laryngeal mucosa while administering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Laryngospasm was defined by steady apposition of the vocal cords, massive electromyographic activity in the laryngeal adductor muscles, absence of such activity in the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (PCA), and intraglottic pressure greater than 80 mm Hg. Upon transmucosal application of 10 mAmp current to the PCA bilaterally, the vocal cords abducted for the duration of the stimulus" Click here for abstract

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Is this enough for now? There is more, and I will add it asap.

The following information has a place somewhere in here. It goes against the argument, even though Martins' mouth was covered, he could still breathe through his nose. Of course that argument makes the fatal assumption ammonia inhalation in the described mannor is harmless, but I thought I would look at it anyway.

The following quote is not directed at the Martin Lee Anderson case, however I did speak with Dr. Pribut about it to a degree. In his statement he is talking about running. It applies here for obvious reasons.

"It would be impossible to take in adequate oxygen just breathing through your nose." -Dr Pribut, DPM

I do have interesting information to add here from my conversation with the doctor, and will add an updated link at the top of the page.

Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports
"Working toward a state of fitness"
Cold Weather Walking and Running
by Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D.

“… most people can not get enough air through the nose alone to sustain fast walking or running.”

Quick Links

What Happened - 10/17/07
Autopsies - 11/01/07
Court of Public Opinion - not available
Matter of Law - 10/03/07
Ammonia Facts - 10/03/07
Sickle Cell Trait and EHI - 10/10/07
Dr. Siebert 10/13/07
Dr. Adams
Dr. Andrews 11/26/07
Dr. Gravenstein 11/29/07
Dr. Downs 10/29/07
Dr. Steinberg 11/27/07
Dr. Eichner
Science for Suffocation - Must read 10/10/07

This site is dedicated to the memory of Martin Lee Anderson. For information, send mail to justice@martinleeanderson.com