“At the base of the tongue of the deceased I observed some enlarged mucous follicles; they were not pustules containing matter, but enlarged mucous follicles of long standing. There were a good many of them, but I do not suppose that they would occasion much inconvenience. They might cause some degree of pain, but it would be slight. I do not believe they were enlarged glands. I should not say that the deceased’s lungs were diseased, although they were not in their normal state. The lungs were full of blood and the heart empty. I had no lens at the post-mortem examination, but I made an examination which was satisfactory without one. The brain was carefully taken out; the membranes and external parts were first examined, and thin slices about a quarter of an inch in thickness were taken off and subjected to separate examination. I think that by that means we should have discovered disease if any had existed; and if there had been any indication of disease I should have examined it more carefully. I examined the spinal cord as far down as possible, and if there had been any appearance of disease, I should have opened the canal. There was no appearance of disease, however. We opened down to the first vertebra. If we had found a softening of the spinal cord, I do not think that it would have been sufficient to have caused Mr. Cook’s death; certainly not. A softening of the spinal cord would not produce tetanus; it might produce paralysis. I do not think, as a medical man investigating the cause of death, that it was necessary carefully to examine the spinal cord. I do not know who suggested that there should be an examination of the spinal cord two months after death. There were some appearances of decomposition when we examined the spinal cord, but I do not think that there was sufficient to interfere with our examination.[36] I examined the body to ascertain if there was any trace of venereal disease. I did find certain indications of that description, and the marks of an old excoriation, which was cicatrized over.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“There were no indications of wounds or sores such as could by possibility produce tetanus. There was no disease of the lungs to account for death. The heart was healthy, and its emptiness I attribute to spasmodic action. The heart being empty, of course death ensued. The convulsive spasmodic action of the muscles of the body, which was deposed to yesterday by Mr. Jones, would, in my judgment occasion the emptiness of the heart. There was nothing whatever in the brain to indicate the presence of any disease of any sort; but if there had been, I never heard or read of any disease of the brain ever producing tetanus. There was no relaxation of the spinal cord which would account for the symptoms accompanying Mr. Cook’s death as they have been described. In fact, there was no relaxation of the spinal cord at all, and there is no disease of the spinal cord with which I am acquainted which would produce tetanus.”

“The disease first manifests itself about the jaws and neck. Rigidity of the muscles of the abdomen afterwards sets in. A dragging pain at the pit of the stomach is almost a constant attendant. In many instances the muscles of the back are extensively affected. These symptoms, though continuous, are liable to aggravations into paroxysms. As the disease goes on these paroxysms become more frequent and more severe. When they occur the body is drawn backwards; in some instances, though less frequent, it is bent forward. A difficulty in swallowing is a very common symptom, and also a difficulty of breathing during the paroxysms. The disease may, if fatal, end in two ways. The patient may die somewhat suddenly, from suffocation, owing to the closure of the opening of the windpipe; or he may be worn out by the severe and painful spasms, the muscles may relax, and the patient gradually sink. The disease is generally fatal. The locking of the jaw is an almost constant symptom attending ‘traumatic tetanus;’ I may say a constant symptom. It is not always marked, but generally so. It is an early symptom. Another symptom is a peculiar expression of countenance. I believe this is not peculiar to ‘traumatic tetanus,’ but my observation is from such cases. There is a contraction of the eyelids, a raising of the angles of the mouth, and contraction of the brow. In ‘traumatic tetanus’ the lower extremities are sometimes affected, and sometimes, but rarely, the upper ones. When the muscles of the extremities are affected, the time at which that occurs varies. If there is no wound in the arms or legs, the extremities are generally not affected until late in the progress of the disease. I never knew of tetanus being produced by a sore throat or a chancre. In my opinion a syphilitic sore would not produce tetanus. I know of no instance in which one has led to tetanus. I think it a very unlikely cause. The time within which ‘traumatic tetanus’ causes death varies from twenty-four hours to two or three days or longer. The shortest time to my knowledge was eight to ten hours. When once commenced, the disease is continuous.”

Question.—“Did you ever hear of a case in which a man was attacked one day, had twenty-four hours’ respite, and was then attacked the next day?”

Witness.—“Never. Such a case could not occur.”

Question.—“You have heard Mr. Jones’s account of the death of the deceased. Were the symptoms there consistent with any forms of traumatic tetanus?”

Witness.—“No.”

Question.—“What distinguishes it from such causes?”

Witness.—“The sudden onset of the disease. In all cases that have come under my observation the disease was preceded by the milder symptoms of tetanus, gradually proceeding to the complete development.”

Question.—“Were the symptoms described by Mills those of tetanus?”

Witness.—“No. Not of tetanus of disease.”

Question.—“Assuming tetanus to be synonymous with convulsive or spasmodic action of the muscles, was there, in that sense, tetanus on Monday night?”

Witness.—“No doubt there was spasmodic action of the muscles, but not idiopathic or traumatic tetanus, because the sudden onset of the spasms, and their rapid subsidence, are consistent with neither of the two forms of tetanus.”

Question.—“Is there not hysteric tetanus?”

Witness.—“Yes: it is rather hysteria combined with spasms, but it is sometimes called hysteric tetanus. I have known no instance of its proving fatal, or of it occurring to a man. Some poisons will produce tetanus. Nux vomica, acting through its poisons, strychnia and brucia, poisons of a cognate character, produce that effect. I never saw human or animal life destroyed by strychnia.”

“The irritation,” said Mr. Curling, “which is likely to produce tetanus is the sore being exposed to friction, to which syphilitic sores in the throat are not exposed. I should class tetanus arising from the irritation of a sore as traumatic. Cases very rarely occur which it is difficult to class as either traumatic or idiopathic. I should class tetanus arising from irritation of the intestines as idiopathic. The character of the spasms of epilepsy are not tetanic.”

Serjeant Shee.—“Not of the spasms; but are not the contractions of epilepsy sometimes continuous, so that the body may be twisted into various forms, and remain rigidly in them?”

Answer.—“Not continuously.”

Question.—“For five or ten minutes together?”

Answer.—“I think not.”

Question.—“Does it not frequently happen that general convulsions, no cause or trace of which in the form of disease or lesion is to be found in the body after death, occur in the most violent and spastic way so as to exhibit appearances of tetanic convulsions?”

Answer.—“No instance of the kind has come under my observation.”[38]

Question.—“Do you agree with this opinion of Dr. Copland, expressed in his Dictionary of Practical Medicine, under the head of ‘General Convulsions,’ ‘The abnormal contraction of the muscles is in some cases of the most violent and spastic nature, and frequently of some continuance, the relaxations being of brief duration or scarcely observable, and in others nearly or altogether approaching to tetanic?’”

Answer.—“I would rather speak from my own observation. I have not observed anything of the kind.”

Question.—“Does it not happen that a patient dies of convulsions, spasmodic in the sense of their being tumultuous and alternating, and chronic in the sense of exhibiting continuous rigidity, yet after death no disease is found?”

Answer.—“It does not often happen to adults.”

Question.—“Does it sometimes?”

Answer.—“I do not know, nor have I read of such a case. I have no hesitation in saying that people may die from tetanus and other diseases without the appearance of morbid symptoms after death.”

Question.—“Are not convulsions, not, strictly speaking, tetanic, constantly preceded by retching, distention of the stomach, flatulence of the stomach and bowels, and other dyspeptic symptoms?”

Answer.—“Such cases do not come under my observation as a hospital surgeon. I think it is very probable that general convulsions are accompanied by yelling. I don’t know that they frequently terminate fatally, and that the proximate cause of death is spasm of the respiratory muscles, inducing asphyxia.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“These convulsions are easily distinguished from tetanus, because in them there is an entire loss of consciousness.”

Question.—“Is it one of the characteristic features of tetanus that the consciousness is not affected?”

Answer.—“It is.”

“In my opinion the term tetanus ought not to be applied to disease produced by poisons, but I should call the symptoms tetanic in order to distinguish the character of the convulsions. I have observed cases of traumatic tetanus. Except that in all such cases there is some lesion the symptoms are precisely the same as those of idiopathic tetanus. The disease begins with stiffness about the jaw. The symptoms gradually develope themselves and extend to the muscles of the trunk.”

Question.—“When the disease has begun is there any intermission?”

Answer.—“There are remissions, but they are not complete; only diminutions of the severity of the symptoms, not a total subsidence. The patient does not express himself as completely well, quite comfortable. I speak from my own experience.”

Question.—“What is the usual period that elapses between the commencement and the termination of the disease?”

Answer.—“The cases may be divided into two classes. Acute cases will terminate in three or four days, chronic cases will go on as long as from nineteen to twenty-two or twenty-three days, and perhaps longer. I do not think that I have known a case in which death occurred within four days. Cases are reported in which it occurred in a shorter period. In tetanus the extremities are affected, but not so much as the trunk. Their affection is a late symptom. The locking of the jaw is an early one. Sometimes the convulsions of epilepsy assume somewhat of a tetanic character, but they are essentially distinct from tetanus. In epilepsy the patient always loses consciousness. Apoplexy never produces tetanic convulsions. Perhaps I may be allowed to say that when there is an effusion of blood upon the brain, and a particular portion of the brain is involved, the muscles may be thrown into short tetanic convulsions. In such a case the consciousness would be destroyed. Having heard described the symptoms attending the death of the deceased, and the post-mortem examination, I am of opinion that in this case there was neither apoplexy nor epilepsy.”

“Having heard the deposition of Dr. Bamford read, I do not believe that the deceased died from apoplexy or from epilepsy. I never knew tetanus arise either from syphilitic sores or from sore throat. There are poisons which will produce tetanic convulsions. The principal of these poisons are nux vomica and those which contain as their active ingredients strychnia and brucia. I have never seen human life destroyed by strychnia, but I have seen animals destroyed by it frequently. The poison is usually given in a largish dose in those cases, so as to put an end to the sufferings and destroy life as soon as possible. I should not like to give a human subject a quarter of a grain. I think that it is not unlikely that half a grain might destroy life; and I believe that a grain certainly would. I think that half a grain would kill a cat. The symptoms which would ensue upon the administration of strychnine when given in solution—and I believe that poisons of that nature act more rapidly in a state of solution than in any other form—would develope themselves in ten minutes after it was taken, if the dose was a large one; if not so large, they might be half an hour or an hour before they appeared. Those symptoms would be tetanic convulsions of the muscles—more especially those of the spine and neck; the head and back would be bent back, and the trunk would be bowed in a marked manner; the extremities also would be stiffened and jerked out. The stiffness, once set in, would never entirely disappear; but fresh paroxysms would set in, and the jerking would reappear, and death would probably ensue in a quarter of an hour or so. The difference between tetanus produced by strychnia and other tetanus is very marked. In the former case the duration of the symptoms is very short, and instead of being continuous in their development, they will subside if the dose has not been strong enough to produce death, and will be renewed in fresh paroxysms: whereas in other descriptions of tetanus the symptoms commence in a mild form, and become stronger and more violent as the disease progresses. The difficulty experienced in breathing is common alike to tetanus properly so called, and to tetanic convulsions occasioned by strychnia, arising from the pressure on the respiratory muscles. I think it is remarkable that the deceased was able to swallow, and that there was no fixing of the jaw, which would have been the case with tetanus proper, resulting either from a wound or from disease. From all the evidence that I have heard, I think that the symptoms which presented themselves in the case of Mr. Cook arose from tetanus produced by strychnia.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Grove, Q.C.—“There are cases sloping into each other, as it were, of every grade and degree, from mild convulsions to tetanic spasms. I have published some lectures upon diseases of the brain, and I adhere to the opinion there expressed, that the state of a person suffering from tetanus is identical with that which strychnia is capable of producing. In a pathological point of view, an examination of the spinal cord shortly after death, in investigating supposed deaths from strychnia, is important. The signs of decomposition, however, could be easily distinguished from the evidence of disease which existed previously to death, but it would be difficult to distinguish in such a case whether mere softening resulted from decomposition or from pre-existing disease. There is nothing in the post-mortem examination that leads me to think that the deceased died from tetanus proper. I think that granules upon the spinal cord, such as I have heard described, would not be likely to cause tetanus. In animals to which strychnia has been administered I cannot say that I have observed what you call an intolerance of touch, but by touching them spasms are apt to be excited. That sensibility to touch continues as long as the operation of the poison continues. I have examined the interior of animals that have been killed by strychnia, but I have not observed in such cases that the right side of the heart was usually full of blood. It is some years since I made such an examination, but I am able, nevertheless, to speak positively as to the state of the heart. It is usually empty on both sides. I do not agree with Dr. Taylor, or other authorities, that, in cases of tetanus, animals died asphyxiated. If they did, we should invariably have the right side of the heart full of blood, which is not the case. I think the term asphyxiated is sometimes very loosely used. I know, from my reading, that morphia sometimes produces convulsions, but believe they would be of an epileptic character. I think that the symptoms of morphia would be longer deferred in making their appearance than from strychnia, but cannot speak positively on the point. Morphia, like strychnia, is a vegetable poison. I have not observed in animals the jaw fixed after the administration of strychnia.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“Whatever may be the true theory as to the emptiness of the heart after strychnia, I should say that the heart is more ordinarily empty than filled after tetanus, and more contracted after strychnia, than in ordinary tetanus. I do not believe that a medical practitioner would have any difficulty in distinguishing between ordinary convulsions and tetanic convulsions. I have heard the evidence of the gentlemen who made the post-mortem examination, and I apprehend that there was nothing to prevent the discovery of disease in the spinal cord had any existed previously to death.”

Sir Benjamin Brodie, examined by Mr. James, Q.C.—“I have been for many years senior surgeon to St. George’s Hospital, and have had considerable experience as a surgeon. In the course of my practice I have had under my care many cases of death from tetanus. Death from idiopathic tetanus is, according to my experience, very rare in this country. The ordinary tetanus in this country is traumatic tetanus. I have heard the symptoms which accompanied the death of Mr. Cook, and I am of opinion that so far as there was a general contraction of the muscles they resembled those of traumatic tetanus; but, as to the course those symptoms took, they were entirely different. I have attended to the detailed description of the attack suffered by Mr. Cook on the Monday night, its ceasing on Tuesday, and its renewal on the Tuesday night. The symptoms of traumatic tetanus always begin, so far as I have seen, very gradually, the stiffness of the lower jaw being, I believe, invariably, the symptom first complained of—at least, so it has been in my experience. The contraction of the muscles of the back is always a later symptom—generally much later. The muscles of the extremities are affected in a much less degree than those of the neck and trunk, except in some cases where the injury has been in a limb, and an early symptom has been spasmodic contraction of the muscles of that limb. I do not myself recollect a case of ordinary tetanus in which occurred that contraction in the muscles of the hand which I understand was stated to have taken place in this instance. Again, ordinary tetanus rarely runs its course in less than two or three days, and often is protracted to a much longer period. I knew one case only in which the disease was said to have terminated in so short a time as twelve hours; but probably in that case the early symptoms had been overlooked. Again, I never knew the symptoms of ordinary tetanus to last for a few minutes, then subside, and then come on again after twenty-four hours. I think that these are the principal points of difference which I perceived between the symptoms of ordinary tetanus and those which I have heard described in this case. I have not witnessed tetanic convulsions from strychnia on animal life. I do not believe that death in the case of Mr. Cook arose from what we ordinarily call tetanus—either idiopathic or traumatic. I never knew tetanus result from sore throat or from a chancre, or from any other form of syphilitic disease. The symptoms were not the result either of apoplexy or of epilepsy. Perhaps I had better say at once that I never saw a case in which the symptoms that I have heard described here rose from any disease. (Sensation.) When I say that, of course I refer not to particular symptoms, but to the general course which the symptoms took.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“I believe I remember one case in the physician’s ward of St. George’s Hospital, which was shown to me as a case of idiopathic tetanus, but I doubted whether it was tetanus at all. It was a slight case, and I do not remember the particulars.”

Question.—“Considering how rare cases of tetanus are, do you think that the description given by a chambermaid and a provincial medical man, who had never seen but one case, is sufficient to enable you to form an opinion as to the nature of the case?”

Answer.—“I must say I thought that the description was very clearly given.”

Question.—“Supposing that they differed in their description, which would you rely upon—the medical man or the chambermaid?”

Lord Campbell.—“That is hardly a proper question.”

Baron Alderson.—“It may be a very proper observation for you to make.”

Cross-examination continued.—“I never knew syphilitic poison produce tetanic convulsions, except in cases where there was disease of the bones of the head.”

“It is as equally fatal,” said Dr. Jackson, “according to my experience, as traumatic. It is frequently found, in India, in children, both natives and Europeans, and generally takes place the third day after birth. It will also be occasioned by cold in that climate. In infants there is a more marked symptom of lockjaw in idiopathic tetanus. In adults there is no difference in the symptoms from traumatic. I have always seen the idiopathic form preceded by premonitory symptoms, such as a peculiar expression of the countenance, stiffness of the muscles of the throat and of the jaw. The usual period from the attack to death in infants is forty-eight hours; in adults, when arising from cold, it is of longer duration, and may continue for many days, going through the same grades as the traumatic forms.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“The patient always appears to be very uncomfortable shortly before an attack of idiopathic tetanus. His appetite would not be affected, but he would chiefly complain of the muscles of the neck. He might entertain a desire for food, and take it as usual within twelve hours of the attack. I never heard a patient complain of want of appetite. Within the twelve hours I should say that the patient’s attention would be more directed to the stiffness of his mouth and neck. I have known cases of idiopathic tetanus, where the first paroxysm was in bed. Difficulty of swallowing is another premonitory symptom.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“In the case of a child not more than six hours would elapse between the premonitory symptoms and the tetanic convulsions; in an adult the period would not be greater than twenty-four hours. The duration of the disease generally varies from three to ten days, but death has occurred as early as two days. The traumatic and idiopathic cases are alike in these respects. Both forms of the disorder are much more common in India than they are in this country. The symptoms are not more severe. In all my experience I never saw a case in which the disease ran its course in twenty minutes.”

“I left the room,” said Hickson, the lady’s maid, “when I had given it her. Five or ten minutes afterwards I was alarmed by the ringing of her bell. I went into her room and found her out of bed leaning upon a chair in her night-dress. I thought she had fainted. She appeared to suffer from what I thought were spasms. I ran and sent the coachman for Dr. Taylor, and returned to her. Some of the other servants were there assisting her. She was lying on the floor. She screamed loudly, and her teeth were clinched. She asked to have her arms and legs held straight. I took hold of them; they were very much drawn up. She still screamed and was in great agony. She requested that water should be thrown over her, and I threw some. I put a bottle of hot water to her feet, but it did not relax them. Shortly before she died she said she felt easier. The last words she uttered were, ‘Turn me over.’ She died very quietly. She was quite conscious, and knew me during the whole time. About an hour and a quarter after I gave her the medicine she died.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Grove, Q.C.—“She could not sit up from the time I went to her till she died. It was when she was in a paroxysm that I tried to straighten her limbs. The effect of the cold water was to throw her into a paroxysm. It was a continually recurring attack, lasting about an hour and a quarter. Her teeth were clinched the whole time.”

Re-examined.—“She was stiff all the time till within a few minutes of her death. She was conscious all the time.”

“The contraction of the feet continued, but it had gone off somewhat from the rest of the body. I found no disease in the body. The heart was contracted, and perfectly empty, as were all the large arteries leading from it. I analysed the medicine she had taken with another medical man. It contained a large quantity of strychnia. It had originally contained nine grains; she had taken a third—three grains. I made a very casual examination of the stomach and bowels, as we had plenty of proof that poison had been taken, without the use of tests.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“In cases of death from ordinary causes the body is much distorted. It does not generally remain in the same position. If the body is not laid out immediately, probably it is stiffened by the rigor mortis. The ankles were tied by a bandage to keep them together. I commenced to open the body by the thorax and abdomen. The head also was opened.”

“We had been giving him,” said the witness, “small doses of strychnia, when he went to Brighton. On his return he told us he had taken larger doses of it, and we in consequence gave him a stronger dose. I made up three draughts of a quarter of a grain each. He took one in my presence. I remained with him a little time, and he said he felt quite comfortable. About three quarters of an hour afterwards I was summoned to him. I found him stiffened in every limb, and the head drawn back. He was desirous we should move him, and turn him and rub him. We tried to give him ammonia in a spoon, and he snapped at it. He was suffering, I should say, more than three hours. Sedatives were given to him. He survived the attack. He was conscious all the time.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“The spasms ceased in about three hours, but the rigidity of the muscles remained till the next day. His hands were at first drawn back, and he was much easier when we got them round clinched together. His paralysis was better after the attack.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“Strychnia stimulates the nerves which act upon the voluntary muscles, and therefore acts beneficially in cases of paralysis.”

“I had attended,” said Mr. Morley, “on the lady to whom the last witness has alluded for about two months before her death. On the Monday before she died she was in her bed, apparently comfortable, when I observed (as I stood by her side) several slight convulsive twitchings of her arms. I supposed they arose from hysteria, and ordered medicine in consequence. The same symptoms appeared on the following Wednesday and Thursday. I saw her on Saturday, the day she died. She was apparently better and quite composed in the middle of the day. She complained of an attack she had had at night. She spoke of pain and spasms in her back and neck, and of shocks. I and another medical man were sent for hastily on Saturday night. We were met by an announcement that the lady was dead. On the Monday I accompanied another medical gentleman (Nunneley) to the post-mortem examination. We found no disease in any part of the body which would account for death. There was no emaciation, wound, or sore. There was a peculiar expression of anxiety in the countenance. The hands were bent and the fingers curved. The feet were strongly arched. We carefully examined the stomach and its contents for poison. We applied several tests—nitric acid, followed by protochloride of tin,[41] sulphuric acid, followed by bichromate of potash in a liquid and also in a solid state. They are the best tests to detect strychnia. In each case we found appearances characteristic of strychnia. We administered the strychnia taken from the stomach to animals by inoculation—to two mice, two rabbits, and a guinea-pig, having first separated it by chemical analysis. We observed in each of the animals more or less of the effects produced by strychnia, namely—general uneasiness, difficult breathing, convulsions of a tetanic kind, muscular rigidity, arching backwards of the head and neck, violent stretching out of the legs. These symptoms appeared in some of the animals in four or five minutes, in others in less than an hour. The guinea-pig suffered but slightly at first, and was left, and was dead next day. The symptoms were strongly marked in the rabbits. After death there was an interval of flaccidity, after which rigidity commenced, more than if it had been occasioned by the rigor mortis. I afterwards made numerous experiments on animals with exactly similar results, the poison being administered in a fluid form.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Grove.—“I did not see the patient during a severe attack. I have observed in animals that spasms are brought on by touch. That is a very marked symptom. The spasm is like a galvanic shock. The patient was not at all insensible during the time I saw her, and she was able to swallow, but I did not see her during a severe attack. After death we found the lungs very much congested. There was a small quantity of bloody serum found in the pericardium. The muscles of the whole body were dark and soft. There was a decided quantity of effusion in the brain. There was also a quantity of serum tinged with blood in the membranes of the spinal cord. The membranes of the spinal marrow were congested to a considerable extent. We opened the head first, and there was a good deal of blood flowing out. Part of the blood may have flowed from the heart. That might partially empty the heart, and would make it uncertain whether the heart was full or empty at the time of death. I have often examined the hearts of animals poisoned by strychnia. The right side of the heart is generally full. In some cases I think that the symptoms did not appear for an hour after the administration of the poison. I have made the experiments in conjunction with Mr. Nunneley. We have made experiments upon frogs, but they are different in many respects from warm-blooded animals. I have in almost all cases found the strychnia where it was known to have been administered. In one case it was doubtful. We were sure the strychnia had been administered in that case, but we doubted whether it had reached the stomach. There were appearances which might lead one to infer the presence of strychnia, but they were not satisfactory. I have detected strychnia in the stomach nearly two months after death, when decomposition has proceeded to a considerable extent.”

Re-examined by the Attorney-General.—“From half a grain to a grain has been administered to cats, rabbits, and dogs. From one to two grains is quite sufficient to kill a dog.”

Question.—“How does the strychnia act? Is it taken up by the absorbents, and carried into the system?”

Answer.—“I think it acts upon the nerves, but a part may be taken into the blood and act through the blood. We generally examined the stomach of the animals when the poison had been administered internally. Sometimes we examined the skin. The poison found in the stomach would be in excess of that absorbed into the system.”

Question.—“Are you then of opinion that, a portion of the poison being taken into the system and a portion being left in the stomach, the portion taken into the system would produce tetanic symptoms and death?”

Mr. Serjeant Shee objected to a question which suggested a theory.

The Attorney-General.—“What would be the operation of that portion of the poison which is taken into the system?”

Answer.—“It would destroy life.”

Mr. Baron Alderson.—“And yet leave an excess in the stomach?”

Answer.—“That is my opinion.”

The Attorney-General.—“Would the excess remaining in the stomach produce no effect?”

Answer.—“I am not sure that strychnia could lie in the stomach without acting prejudicially.”

Question.—“Suppose that a minimum quantity is administered, which, being absorbed into the system, destroys life, should you expect to find any in the stomach?”

Answer.—“I should expect sometimes to fail in discovering it.”

Question.—“If death resulted from a series of minimum doses spread over several days, would the appearance of the body be different from that of one whose death had been caused by one dose?”

Answer.—“I should connect the appearance of the body with the final struggle of the last day.”

Question.—“Would you expect a different set of phenomena in cases where death had taken place after a brief struggle, and in cases where the struggle had been protracted?”

Answer.—“Certainly. At the post-mortem examination of which I have spoken we found fluid blood in the veins.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“Is it your theory that in the action of poisoning the poison becomes absorbed and ceases to exist as poison?”

Answer.—“I have thought much upon that question, and have not formed a decided opinion, but I am inclined to think that it is so. A part may be absorbed and a part remain in the stomach unchanged.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“What chymical reason can you give for your opinion that strychnia, after having effected the operation of poisoning, ceases to be strychnia in the blood?”

Answer.—“My opinion rests upon the general principle that, in acting upon living bodies, organic substances—such as food and medicine—are generally changed in their composition.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“What are the component parts of strychnia?”

Mr. Baron Alderson.—“You will find that in any cyclopædia, brother Shee.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee.—“Have you any reason to believe that strychnia can be decomposed by any sort of putrefying or fermenting process?”

Witness.—“I doubt whether it can.”[42]