Chapter XI: Aconite: Aconitia or Aconitine (1)

Plants: Aconitum napellus—A. ferox. Alkaloids: Aconitia—Pseudaconitia—other bases—Decompositions—Proportions in the plants. Commercial aconitia—German aconitia—English aconitia. Separation—Tests, chemical and physiological. History—Preparations, official and non-official. Physiological effects—Causes of death—Post mortem appearances—Treatment and antidotes—Remarks—Phosphoric acid test—Case referred to by Dr. Stevenson.

THE name aconite is applied to a great number of plants belonging to the natural order Ranunculaceæ. Two species only need be noticed here, _Aconitum napellus_ and _A. ferox_. The former is the well-known “monkshood,” “wolfsbane,” or “blue rocket,” a very beautiful but exceedingly poisonous plant, commonly cultivated in English gardens. This very variable and widely diffused species is found in the mountainous districts of the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere: it occurs in the Alps up to an altitude of more than 6,000 feet, in the Pyrenees, and in the mountain ranges of Germany and Austria. It is also met with in Sweden, Denmark, Siberia, and in the mountainous districts on the Pacific coast of North America.

_Aconitum ferox_, Nepaul aconite —“Bikh”), is a native of the subalpine Himalayas, occurring, together with A. napellus and several other poisonous species, at an elevation of 10,000 to 14,000 feet.

The most recent researches of Dr. C. R. Alder Wright and others have shown that Aconitum napellus chiefly owes its poisonous properties to the base _aconitia_, or _aconitine_ (also called _aconitina_), C_{33} H_{43} NO_{12}, a highly active crystallizable alkaloid furnishing readily crystallizable salts. This base constitutes about one-half of the total quantity of alkaloids present in the root, and is considered to be in combination with _aconitic acid_, H_{3} C_{6} H_{3} O_{6}. There is also present, but in much smaller quantity (about 10 per cent. of the total bases present—Wright), another physiologically active crystallizable alkaloid, _pseudaconitia_, C_{36} H_{49} NO_{12}, similar in many respects to aconitia (especially in its effects upon the animal system), but not so readily yielding crystallizable salts. The roots of A. napellus contain, in addition to aconitia and pseudaconitia, a considerable quantity of a third base, comparatively inert, apparently amorphous, yielding non-crystallizable salts, and containing a higher percentage of carbon than either aconitia or pseudaconitia.

Aconitum ferox contains as its active principle _pseudaconitia_, or _nepaline_, associated with a comparatively small quantity of aconitia: there is present in addition a non-crystallizable alkaloid containing more carbon than either of the other bases, but apparently not identical with the analogous body from A. napellus.

The plants have been stated to contain, besides the bases already named, various other alkaloids, such as “napel-line,” “acolyctine,” “lycoctonine,” &c., but there is no doubt that these substances are merely products of the decomposition of aconitia and pseudaconitia, formed during the process of extraction. Aconitia and pseudaconitia are very easily decomposed; thus, when heated with water in a sealed tube, the former is converted into benzoic acid and a fresh alkaloid, _aconine_, C_{26} H_{39} NO_{11}, the reaction being represented by the following equation:—

C_{33} H_{43} NO_{12}+H_{2}O=C_{7} H_{6} O_{2}+C_{26} H_{39} NO_{11}.
Aconitia. Water. Benzoic acid. Aconine.

Pseudaconitia, so treated, yields dimethyl-protocatechuic (or “veratric”) acid and a new base, _pseudaconine_, C_{27} H_{41} NO_{9}, the equation being:—

C_{36} H_{49} NO_{12}+H_{2} O=C_{9} H_{10}O_{4} + C_{27}H_{41} NO_{9}.
Pseudaconitia. Water. Dimethyl-protocatechuic Pseudaconine.
acid.

Aconine is doubtless identical with Hübschmann’s “napel-line,” discovered by him in commercial aconitia, and afterwards proved to be the same as the “acolyctine” which he had previously obtained. Pseudaconine is apparently the base “lycoctonine” of the same chemist.

Commercial aconitia is a mixture of aconitia and pseudaconitia with variable quantities of their decomposition-products, aconine and pseudaconine, and of the amorphous unnamed alkaloids above referred to (Wright and others; Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1877, _et seq._). In commercial aconitia prepared from Aconitum napellus (_German aconitia_), _aconitia_ predominates: _English aconitia_ is chiefly if not entirely prepared from A. ferox, and in it _pseudaconitia_ is the prevailing active base.

All parts of the plants (A. napellus and A. ferox) are poisonous, the active principles being contained in the seeds, roots, leaves and flowering tops. The roots are chiefly used for the extraction of the alkaloids, of which the proportions yielded are very variable and depend on the time when the roots are collected. An ounce of the fresh root of A. napellus contains, according to Woodman and Tidy, from ¼ to ¾ of a grain of aconitia, while a pound of the dried root furnishes from 12 to 36 grains, or 0·1 to 0·2 per cent. “The average produce of the root, _collected after flowering_ and fresh, is 8·58 grains of aconitia in the pound; of the same dried, 35·72 grains. But if collected before flowering, the yield is only 3·5 grains per pound in the fresh, and 12·13 in the dried root (Herapath). These results are the average of several experiments.... The root of A. ferox contains about three times as much alkaloid as that of the English plant” (Royle’s Mat. Med.). According to Wright and Rennie (Year-Book of Pharm., 1880, 458), the percentage of total bases yielded by the root of A. napellus, calculated on the dry substance, amounted to ·07 per cent., equivalent to about ·05 per cent, of total alkaloids in the dry herb. Two-fifths of the total alkaloid consisted of pure crystallized aconitia.

Commercial aconitia or aconitine is generally met with as a white amorphous powder, but is occasionally crystalline. It dissolves in 150 parts of cold and 50 parts of hot water, and is also soluble in alcohol, benzole, and chloroform: it is inodorous, possesses an acrid taste (W. and T., For. Med., p. 392), and is strongly alkaline to test-paper. It generally fuses below 100° C. (60° C., W. and T.), and gives an amorphous sublimate above 150° C. (_pure_ aconitia fuses at 183°-184° C.: _pure_ pseudaconitia melts at 104°-105° C.): when strongly heated with free access of air, it burns with a yellow, smoky flame, leaving no residue. Crystallized samples of commercial aconitia are the purest. Amorphous aconitia, and particularly that prepared in Germany, is very impure, being admixed with considerable quantities of comparatively inert bases. The use of such a preparation should be avoided, as being liable to give rise to a false idea as to the proper dose of the pure alkaloid (Royle’s Mat. Med., 1876, p. 773). Morson’s “English aconitine” (_pseudaconitia_) is much more powerful than the French and German products, which are mostly prepared from A. napellus, and consist mainly of aconitia.[221]

Aconitia and pseudaconitia differ from one another in their molecular weights and melting-points; they also furnish different decomposition-products: aconitia readily furnishes well-crystallized salts, while the salts of pseudaconitia are usually obtained amorphous; and finally, crystallized aconitia is anhydrous, while pseudaconitia crystallizes with one atom of water.

The two bases are similar as regards their physiological action (pseudaconitia is perhaps somewhat more powerfully active than aconitia), and general behaviour with reagents.

The characters and physiological action of commercial aconitia _vary greatly_, as might be expected from the ununiformity of its composition.

SEPARATION AND TESTS.

For the extraction and separation of aconitia from anima matters, the modification of Stas’s general method, described on page 5 (Chap. I.), may be employed. The alkaloids of aconite being, as has been already shown, very liable to decomposition, great care must be taken, during the extraction with alcohol and subsequent evaporation of the extracts, that the temperature does not rise above 50° C.: the use of mineral acids should also be avoided.

_Tests._—1. The residue of aconitia or pseudaconitia, obtained on spontaneous evaporation of the anhydrous chloroform solution, will generally be found to be more or less crystalline, when examined under the microscope.

2. The Taste Test.—A minute portion of the residue, either alone or dissolved in a small quantity of water acidulated with acetic acid, should be rubbed with the finger on the lips and gums, or cautiously applied to the tip of the tongue. If aconitia or pseudaconitia be present, a peculiar tingling and numbness will be quickly experienced in and around the parts to which the alkaloidal extract has been applied: salivation, with a desire to expectorate, and a sense of swelling at the back of the throat, are also frequently noticed. The effects, or some of them, usually last from three to six hours, or even longer. _This action is peculiar to aconite; the test, therefore, is of the utmost value, and one which must never be omitted._

3. The Physiological Test.—Inject a small quantity of the alkaloidal extract, dissolved in a little water acidulated with acetic acid, into the back of a mouse or other small animal. In the event of aconitia being present, characteristic symptoms of aconite poisoning are manifested in a few minutes, and the death of the animal rapidly ensues. Among the chief symptoms observed by Dr. Fleming, in some experiments upon animals, made in 1844, were “weakness of the limbs, staggering, a gradually increasing paralysis of the voluntary muscles, loss or diminution of sight, slowness of pulse, difficulty of breathing, occasional convulsive movements, in two cases opisthotonos, contracted pupils, but often dilating two or three minutes before death, and death by asphyxia.” (Woodman and Tidy’s For. Med., p. 394). This test is also a very important one.

4. Chemical Tests.—Solutions of salts of aconitia and pseudaconitia are precipitated by most of the general reagents for alkaloids, such as Mayer’s reagent, tannic acid, potassium tri-iodide, phosphomolybdic acid, &c. Platinic chloride, picric or carbazotic acid, and auric chloride, however, do _not_ give precipitates, except in _concentrated_ solutions. Among the special tests for aconitia and pseudaconitia which have been described, the following may be mentioned. (A) With _sulphuric acid_, no change takes place in the cold, but on warming, a pale yellow, deepening into brown, and finally changing into violet-red, is observed. This reaction varies very greatly with different samples of aconitia, and little or no reliance can be placed upon it as a toxicological test. (B) With _sulphuric acid_ and a drop of _saturated solution of sugar_, a fine rose-red colour, passing into dingy brown, has been obtained. Experience, however, has not shown this test to be of any especial value. (C) If cautiously heated for ten or fifteen minutes on the water-bath with a few drops of _syrupy phosphoric acid_, aconitia is said to yield a violet or blue colour. This reaction is uncertain and therefore useless: it may be obtained with impure samples, while pure aconitia and pseudaconitia fail to give it. Mr. T. B. Groves (Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1873) says:—“The colour reactions of these alkaloids may be dismissed in a word. There are ‘none.’ As for the phosphoric acid reaction producing a blue colour, I have never succeeded in obtaining it. It is probably due to some accidental impurity, and I believe Dr. Flückiger has arrived at the same conclusion.”

Hence, as there are no reliable, characteristic, and distinctive chemical tests for aconitia, its presence or absence must be judged chiefly from the results of the tests of taste and physiological action on small animals. _A substance, previously proved to be an alkaloid by its yielding precipitates with most of the general reagents for alkaloids, and which, when applied to the tongue and injected under the skin of a small animal, produces the effects already described, is absolutely certain to be aconitia._

HISTORY, PREPARATIONS, AND DOSES.

_History._—The _Ἀκόνιτον_ of the Greeks and Aconitum of the Romans are believed to refer to the genus Aconitum, if not actually to A. napellus. The ancients were well acquainted with the poisonous properties of aconite, which has been widely used as an arrow-poison. It was employed by the ancient Chinese, and is still in requisition among the less civilised hill tribes of India.[222] Something similar was in use among the aborigines of ancient Gaul. In a Welsh MS. of the 13th century, aconite was pointed out as one of the plants which every physician was to grow. The root and the herb are met with in the German pharmaceutical tariff of the 17th century. Störck, of Vienna, introduced aconite into regular practice about the year 1762 (Flückiger and Hanbury; “Pharmacographia,” 1879).

_Preparations and Medicinal Doses,_—Aconite leaves (Aconiti Folia) and root (Aconiti Radix) are officinal in the British Pharmacopœia, and the plants from which they are obtained (A. napellus) are cultivated in Britain (Squire’s Companion to the B. P., 1868). The chief preparations are as follows:—

1. _Aconitia_, B. P.—Aconitine. Not for internal use, according to the Pharmacopœia. It is, however, occasionally prescribed in very minute doses (1/400 to 1/50 of a grain by the mouth: not more than 1/200 of a grain, subcutaneously injected; Royle’s Materia Medica). Dr. J. Harley has given 1/200 of a grain, once a day, in fevers.

2. _Unguentum Aconitiæ_, _B. P._—Ointment of aconitia. Prepared with lard. Strength, 8 grains of aconitia to the ounce (= 1·66 per cent.). For external application in painful nervous affections, neuralgia, &c.

3. _Linimentum Aconiti_, _B. P._—Useful for external application in neuralgia or lumbago. May contain about 2 per cent. of aconitia (Blyth).

4. _Extractum Aconiti_, _B. P._—Prepared from the leaves and flowering tops. Dose, 1 to 2 grains.

5. _Tinctura Aconiti_, _B. P._—Dose, 5 to 10 minims, twice or thrice a day (Squire); 5 to 15 minims, and only to be gradually if at all increased (Royle); never to exceed 5 minims (Farquharson’s Therapeutics).[223]

6. _Fleming’s Tincture of Aconite_ is not officinal; it is nearly four times stronger than the B. P. tincture, and must on no account be given in the above doses (Royle).

7. _Liston’s Strong Tincture._—Not officinal.

8. _Aconiti Succus._—The expressed juice. Not officinal. Dose, 15 to 20 minims (Squire’s Comp. to the B. P.).

9. _Extractum Aconiti Rad._—Not officinal. Prepared with alcohol. Dose, half a grain.

_Fatal Dose of Aconitia._—Smallest: in one case 1/50 of a grain nearly proved fatal (Pereira). The tenth and even twentieth of a grain are believed to have caused death (Headland; Herapath). The average quantity for an adult is probably between 1/16 and 1/20 of a grain. One drachm of the root, four grains of the alcoholic extract, and one drachm of the tincture have proved fatal.[224] Numerous well-authenticated cases are on record of aconite root being scraped and eaten at table, in mistake for horseradish, with very serious and even fatal results.[225] (See Guy and Ferrier’s For. Med., p. 617.)

_Fatal Period._—The shortest time in which death has been known to occur is 1¼ hour: the longest, 20 hours: average, less than 4 hours (Guy and Ferrier). A case is mentioned in Woodman and Tidy’s Forensic Medicine, however, in which death occurred in 20 _minutes_. “The symptoms usually make their appearance in from a few minutes to one or two hours; whilst death usually takes place within three or four hours” (W. and T., p. 393).

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS.

Aconite produces, locally applied, a tingling sensation, followed by numbness, and the earliest symptom of poisoning by aconite, when any one of its preparations has been taken by the mouth, is tingling, followed by numbness and anæsthesia of the lips and throat, afterwards becoming general. Vomiting occurs frequently, but not universally: purging is not nearly so frequent (W. and T.). The intellectual faculties are usually unaffected, but in some cases there is stupor. Aconite paralyses both the reflex and motor activity of the spinal cord, hence there is an almost total loss of muscular power. The respiratory centre is eventually paralysed, so that death may result from suffocation (Farquharson). The heart’s action becomes feeble and irregular; its rapidity is first diminished, then increased. The face is pale, and the body bathed in a clammy sweat: the pupils “are at first contracted, and afterwards dilated shortly before death.” The respiration becomes slower, then irregular, and death generally results from its cessation (_asphyxia_).

In cases of poisoning by aconite, death may be caused by (1) _asphyxia_, (2) _shock_, or (3) _syncope_.

The following symptoms were noted in the case of a cat, to which one-tenth of a grain of Morson’s English aconitia (= pseudaconitia, or nepaline) was administered:—stertorous and difficult breathing, staggering motions, convulsions (always contracting, never stretching like strychnia), vomiting, foaming at the mouth, moans and spasmodic cries, violent struggles for breath; the body fell over on one side, the limbs were stretched forward and worked spasmodically, but never stiffened. Attacks intermittent, with peaceful intervals. Involuntary defecation; retching (the stomach had already emptied itself), prolonged low moans, gasps for breath, abdominal rumblings, insensibility for two hours with occasional twitching, moans and cries. Eyes wide open, _pupils not contracted_. Finally, after 2½ hours, a few slight struggles, a convulsive gasp, and death. Stiffening very slow. Tongue protruded beyond the teeth.

Twelve hours after death, the rigidity was very strong. A post-mortem examination was then made, with the following results. Pupils dilated. Intestines and other organs normal, not congested: lungs collapsed and congested: heart very much venously congested. Blood not more fluid than usual. Larynx filled with frothy mucus. Brain congested.

On analysis of the stomach and other organs an alkaloidal extract was obtained, which, when submitted to the taste test, produced all the effects characteristic of aconitia. It is worthy of remark that the colour-tests completely failed.

_Treatment and antidotes._—“Emetics, stimulants internal and external” (Squire’s Comp. B. P.). No chemical antidote is known: animal charcoal has been recommended, but its efficacy is doubtful. A mustard emetic should be applied, followed by the stomach-pump. “In the latter stages, depletion from a jugular vein to relieve the distension of the right heart, accompanied by the most persevering efforts to promote the expansion of the chest.” Gentle magneto-electric currents down the back of the neck and around the margin of the ribs, to excite contractions of the diaphragm, accompanied by rhythmical abductions of the upper extremities, should be employed. If there is yet a capability of swallowing, brandy and ammonia should be given (Royle’s Mat. Med.).

REMARKS.

Pure aconitia is perhaps the most deadly poison with which we are at present acquainted, and all the preparations of aconite are excessively poisonous. Unless employed with extreme caution they are very dangerous, and should on no account be used, even for external application, except with the advice of, or by a medical man.[226]

The urgent necessity for an alteration in the law at present relating to the sale of poisons, and for the introduction of a clause placing some restrictions on the sale of patent medicines containing poisons, is strikingly shown by the fact that such preparations as “Neuraline” are now sold without any restriction whatever. Indeed, as the law at present stands, the most virulent poisons, if contained in, or sold as patent medicines, can be obtained by any ordinary person with less difficulty than the same poisons can be purchased, under their own proper names, by a medical man. Neuraline, a patent medicine containing a preparation of aconite, was brought rather prominently forward, in 1872, in connection with the death of the Hon. G. C. Vernon, the question arising as to whether the too frequent use of neuraline by the deceased, for pains in his head, had been the cause of death.[227]

The phosphoric acid test for aconitia, referred to by Mr. Montagu Williams during the trial of Dr. Lamson, is described in Professor Flückiger’s work (“Pharmaceutische Chemie”; Berlin, 1879); but it is at the same time mentioned that crystallized aconitia gives only an extremely faint reaction, and crystallized nitrate of aconitia none at all.

It has been already pointed out (p. 573) that this test is one which cannot be relied on, and that the violet colour is believed to be due to impurities present rather than to aconitia itself.

The internal administration of aconitia in very small doses is recommended, in cases of dysentery and typhoid fever, by a writer in the _Journal of Medicine and Dosimetric Therapeutics, according to the method of Dr. Ad. Burggraeve_, a publication edited by Dr. T. L. Phipson. Dr. Burggraeve’s method (or “dosimetry,” as it is called) is in several respects similar to homœopathy, and the journal in question cannot be regarded as a generally accepted authority.

In his speech for the defence, Mr. Montagu Williams referred to the supposed existence of cadaveric alkaloids or ptomaines, and to the absence of special chemical tests for aconitia. With reference to the ptomaines, see Chap. 1, p. 12. The objection, that there is no characteristic chemical test for aconitia, is to a great extent deprived of its force when one remembers that aconitia can be proved to be an alkaloid by its deportment with the general alkaloidal re-agents; that the taste test alone will distinguish it from all other alkaloids; and that it exerts a powerful and distinctive action on small animals, and ultimately destroys them.

It must not be forgotten that the remark of Lord Coleridge’s, quoted by Mr. Montagu Williams, is nothing more than an expression of personal opinion, by an eminent _lawyer_ on a _purely scientific_ subject; valuable, no doubt, but not necessarily infallible.

The statement of Messrs. Allen & Hanbury’s assistant, that aconitia is yellowish-white (p. 544), does not hold good of all samples: the colour of the alkaloids varies with their degree of purity, and pure aconitia is not less white than pure atropia.

Full details of the case of poisoning by aconitia, referred to by Dr. Stevenson (p. 534), are to be found in _Schmidt’s Jahrbücher der In-und Ausländischen gesammten Medicin_, edited by Dr. Adolf Winter, vol. 189, p. 122: the case was originally communicated by T. Haakma Tresling to a Dutch journal (_Weekbl. van het Nederl. Tijdschr. voor Geneesk_, 16, 1880). The following is a short account of this case.

A patient, for whom medicine containing aconitia nitrate (to be taken in small and repeated doses) had been prescribed by a physician, Dr. M., experienced soon after the first and second doses a burning sensation in the throat, followed by vomiting and, later on, by difficulty of respiration: the skin was icy cold to the touch, although internally there was a sensation of burning throughout the body. With the object of proving that these effects were not attributable to the medicine, Dr. M., at four p.m. on March 16th, 1880, took a dose of the mixture, containing rather more than 1/16 grain of aconitia nitrate. The first symptoms of poisoning appeared in about an hour and a half; and, about four hours after he had taken the poison, Dr. M. was found to be pallid, with a cold skin, contracted pupils, small and irregular but not accelerated pulse, swollen tongue, headache, shivering fits, and a sensation of burning in the mouth: there was also pain extending from the throat to the lower part of the stomach. Suddenly the power of vision became extinct, simultaneously with a great dilation of the pupils: sight shortly afterwards returned, the pupils at the same time again contracting. Vomiting was induced by tickling the throat; the ejected matter was thick, red-coloured, and contained the remains of food previously consumed: vomiting subsequently recurred spontaneously. The first convulsions occurred eight hours and forty minutes after the dose had been taken; respiration became more difficult, and Dr. M. complained of humming in the ears, and deafness, first in one ear and then in the other. Ether was now subcutaneously injected: dilation of pupils, with loss of vision, again followed, being succeeded by vomiting, and violent and long-continued convulsions. In eight hours and fifty-three minutes extraordinarily violent vomiting set in, and was followed by a succession of violent convulsions. Dr. M. could not again be restored to consciousness, the pupils were dilated and remained unaffected by the light, and respiration was slow and laborious. Notwithstanding the employment of electricity, breathing became slower, the beating of the heart ceased to be audible, and death occurred in nine hours from the time at which the poison was taken.

On a _post-mortem_ examination being made, it was found that the surface-tissues of the body were very pale and contained little blood, while the internal organs were much congested. The intestinal congestion increased towards the stomach, and diminished towards the large intestine. The colon, rectum, and bladder were very pale and bloodless. The latter contained about 70 grammes (= 2¼ fl. oz.) of urine. The liver and spleen were enlarged, the kidneys small; all much congested. Defecation had not taken place, though some urine had been passed. The lungs did not fill the cavity of the chest; they contained fresh infiltrations and some small cavities: adhesion, congestion, and, in the lower portions, numerous emphysematous patches. Much fat was deposited on the right side of the heart, which contained thin blood. Brain congested.

INDEX.

ACONITE,
varieties (napellus, ferox), 568
alkaloids, aconitine or aconitia, 569
pseudaconitia, 569
aconine and pseudaconine, 570
extraction and tests—
taste, 572
physiological, 572
chemical, 573
extraction and texts—
taste, 572
physiological, 572
chemical, 573
history and preparations, 574
doses, fatal, 575
fatal period, 576
cause of death, 577
post-mortem appearances, 577, 581
treatment and antidotes, 577
remarks. Phosphoric acid test, 579
Use in dysentery, 579
Colour of aconitia, 580
Case referred to by Dr. Stevenson, 580

ALKALOIDS,
derivation, 3, 4
chemically and physiologically considered, 4
general process for extracting, 5-8
morphia, curarine, solanine, 8
Guy’s subliming cell, 9
general reagents, 10-12
ptomaines or cadaveric, 13, 14

ALLOYS OF ANTIMONY, 491

ALLOYS OF ARSENIC, 374, 381

ALMONDS, BITTER, 59, 60, 78

ANALYSIS,
quantitative, indispensable in cases of poisoning by antimony,
mercury, and lead, 3

ANGINA PECTORIS,
Dr. Richardson (_Palmer’s trial_), 175, 289

ANILINE DYES,
arsenic in, 379

ANIMAL CHARCOAL,
reagent for alkaloids, 11
antidote, 12, 577

ANTIMONY,
symptom of poisoning by, 2
properties. Chap. IX., 490
alloy of, in different metals, 491
compounds of, chlorides, sulphides, 491
oxides, hydride, 492
tartar emetic, solubility, 493
composition, uses and occurrences, 494
doses and preparations, 495
fatal dose and fatal period, 496
physiological effects, 497
antidotes, 497
separation and tests. Reinsch’s, 498
Marsh, 500
preparation used, 502
quantity, 503
remarks (_Pritchard’s case_), 505
(_Smethurst’s_), 507
Addenda—bismuth, 510
grey powder, 513

ANTISEPTIC,
arsenic as an, 376

APPLE PIPS,
amount of prussic acid in, 59, 60

ARSENIC,
element. Chap. VII., 373
solubility of, 321, 375
taste of (_Christison_), 321-3
trioxide of, 374
uses and occurrences of, 376-381
steeping wheat—soap—antiseptic, 376
glass—for fur in boilers—candles, 376
wood preserving—sheep washing—paints, 377
wall papers—medicines, 378
horses—teeth stopping—aniline dyes, 379
rat and fly poisons—metal cleaning, 380
arsenic eaters—cosmetic—bronzing, 380
glucose beer—paper collars, 381
speculum metal—inhaling, 381
sulphides of, 381
orpiment (Burdock’s case), 382, and note
acid, 382
arsenates, 383
trichloride, Arseniuretted hydrogen, 383
extraction and tests, distribution, occurrence in soils, 384
modification of old process, 385-7
Marsh’s, 388
Reinsch’s, 390
doses, medicinal, poisonous, 391
physiological effects of, 392
treatment and antidotes, 393
presence in common articles, 394
attempted poisoning by forged prescription, 394
remarks on evidence of Dr. Letheby (_Merritt’s case_), 395
on Madeline Smith’s case, 395, note 396
supposed presence in sulphuretted hydrogen, 396
_See_ trials of Madeline Smith, Pritchard, and Ann Merritt,
Chap. VI.

ASHLEY, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 19

AYRTON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Winslow’s trial_), 487

BABBINGTON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 460

BALL, GEORGE,
trial of, at Lewes, 49-52

BAMFORD, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 99-100

BANKES, ISABELLA,
case of, 448

BARLOW, SILAS,
trial of, 268-75
history of the case, 268
symptoms of poisoning, 269
medical evidence, 271
analytical evidence, Dr. Lees, 272
Dr. Bernays, 274
defence and verdict, 275

BARNES, LAVINIA,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 98-9

BARRETT, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 20

BARWELL, Surgeon,
evidence of, _post-mortem_ (_Smethurst’s trial_), 456

BATEMAN, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 41

BEDBROOK,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 541

BELLADONNA,
insensibility, symptom of poisoning by, 2
dilates the pupil of the eye, 2

BERNAYS, Dr. A. J.,
evidence of (_Barlow’s trial_), 274

BERRY, Dr.,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 520

BIRD, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 455

BISMUTH,
potassio-iodide of, reagent for alkaloids, 10
subnitrate, arsenic in, 510

BLANC MANGE,
arsenic used for colouring, 377

BOILERS, FUR IN,
arsenic used for removing, 376

BOWERBANK, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 460

BRAMWELL, Baron,
charge of (_Dove’s trial_), 260-2

BRAND, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 524

BRODIE, Sir B.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 117
opinion of (_Smethurst’s case_), 478

BROOKS, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 92

BRUCIA,
convulsions, symptoms of poisoning by, 3
whence obtained, 284
tests for, 285

BURDOCK, M.A.,
trial for poisoning by orpiment, 382, note.

CADAVERIC ALKALOIDS,
properties, 12-14
resembling strychnia, 291
in Lamson’s case, 550, 580, 537-8

CALVERT, F. C., Chemist,
indestructibility of strychnia, 149, note

CAMERON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Winslow’s trial_), 482

CAMPBELL, Lord Chief Justice (_Palmer’s trial_),
omission of Keeling’s evidence, 104, note
charge of, 220-31

CANDLES,
arsenic used in, 376

CANTHARIDES,
vomiting symptom of poisoning by, 2

CARBONIC ACID AND OXIDE,
sudden death in poisoning by, 1, 2

CASSAVA,
amount of prussic acid in, 59

CAUDLE, Chemist,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 456

CHAMPNEYS, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 23-7

CHERRY KERNELS,
amount of prussic acid in, 59

CHESHIRE, Postmaster,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 188-9

CHLORAL AND CROTON CHLORAL,
insensibility, symptom of poisoning by, 2

CHLORINE,
process for obtaining pure, xvi.

CHLOROFORM,
solvent for alkaloids, 4, 5
antidote to strychnia, 290

CHRISTISON, Professor,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 147-8
(_Dove’s trial_), 248
(_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 315, 358

CHRONIC POISONING,
symptoms of by antimony, mercury, lead, 3, 497

CLARK, RUTHERFORD,
defence of Pritchard, 435

CLUTTERBUCK, Mr.,
details of case of (_Palmer’s trial_), 123

COCCULUS INDICUS,
symptom of poisoning by, 2

COCKBURN, Attorney-General,
statement and reply (_Palmer’s trial_), 84-94, 209-19

COOK,
murder of. _See_ PALMER.

COOPER, Analytical Chemist,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 28-33
cross-examination, 33-9
discovery of prussic acid in apple pips, 32, 60, 64

COPLAND, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 460

COPPER,
preparation of pure, 498

CORBETT, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 323

COSMETIC,
use of arsenic as a, 380
bismuth, 510

COWARD, Inspector,
conduct of (_Merritt’s trial_), 369

CURARINE,
process for extracting, 8
properties, 277, 281

CURLING, J. B., Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 111

CYANIDE OF POTASSIUM,
symptoms and _post-mortem_ appearances, &c., 80

DANIELL, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 119

DEATH, SUDDEN,
evidence of poisoning by sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids,
poisonous gases, carbonic oxide, arseniuretted and
antimoniuretted hydrogen, kakodyl, strychnia, oxalic and prussic
acid, 1, 2
chloroform, sometimes, 2

DE MEAU, French Consul,
evidence of (_M. Smith’s trial_), 338

DEVONSHIRE, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 109, note—134, note

DIGITALIS,
insensibility evidence of poisoning by, 2
dilates the pupils of the eyes, 2

DODD, Chemist,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 544

DOVE, Mrs.,
evidence as to her case (_Palmer’s trial_), 124

DOVE, WILLIAM,
trial for murder of wife—early life, 233-5
history of the case, 235-9
symptoms—Ann Fisher, 239
Mrs. Witham, 240
Mrs. Wood, 241
Mr. Scarth, 242
medical and analytical evidence (Mr. Morley), 242-8
(Mr. Nunneley), 248
(Professor Christison), 248
(Mr. Hobson and Mr. Teale), 249
(Mr. Richard and Mr. William Hey), 250
prisoner’s actions and statements (Ann Fisher), 250
(Gray, Hicks), 251
(Harrison, Jenkins, Scarth), 252
defence—letter to the Devil, 253
evidence of insanity (Dr. Williams), 254-7
(Dr. Pyeman Smith), 258
(Mr. J. Kitchen), 259
judge’s charge, and verdict, 260-3
confessions of, 263-8

DRAGENDORFF,
process for alkaloids, 4

DROPS AND MINIMS (_Ball’s trial_), 50-1
table of relative proportions of, 81

DUPRÉ, Dr.,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 538

EDWARDS, Dr.,
evidence of (_Winslow’s case_), 484

EGGLESHAM POISONING CASE (_Agnes Montgomery_), 52-3

ESSENTIAL OILS,
vomiting symptom of, 2
containing HCN, 60

EYE,
action of poisons on the—opium, morphia, calabar bean, aconite?, and
strychnia, contract the pupil; belladonna, henbane, tobacco,
stramonium, digitalis, and hemlock, dilate the pupil, 2

FIREWORKS,
arsenic in, 379
antimony, 492

FISHER, ANN,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 239, 251

FISHER, ISHMAEL,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 191-3

FLY POISONS,
arsenic in, 379

FORMIC ACID,
to be tested for in supposed cases of poisoning by hydrocyanic
acid, 82-3
difference from sulphocyanide, 70

FORSTER,
supposed case of tetanus, 177-8

FOULNER,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 431

FOWLER’S SOLUTION,
arsenite of potash, 378
dose of, 391

FRANKLIN,
trial of (arsenic in blanc mange), 377, note

FRESENIUS,
process for arsenic, 385

GAGE, MARIA,
trial of (arsenic in rat poison), 379

GAIRDNER, Dr.,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 399-403

GAY, Dr. JOHN,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 179

GILLETT, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Merritt’s trial_), 368

GIRDWOOD, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 472

GLASS MAKING,
arsenic used in, 376

GLUCOSE BEER,
arsenic used in, 381

GRANULES, GRITTY,
on spine (_Palmer’s trial_), 171, 292

GRAY, MARGARET,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 251

GRAY, R, E.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 177-8

GUY, Dr.,
process for subliming alkaloids, 9

HADLER, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 41

HAGGART, C.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 340

HANDYSIDE, Lord,
judgment in Madeline Smith’s trial, 361

HARLAND, Dr.,
evidence, _post-mortem_ (_Palmer’s trial_), 105-9

HARRISON (the witchman),
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 252

HART, Mrs.,
history of (_Tawell’s trial_), 41

HAWKINS, Sir H.,
remarks on Poisons Acts (_Lamson’s trial_), 544, note
charge of (_Lamson’s trial_), 555

HEHNER,
tin in canned provisions, 504

HEMLOCK,
symptoms of poisoning by, 2
antidote to tetanus, 293

HERAPATH, Chemist,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 163-6
letter to the _Times_, 165, note
and Dr. Taylor (_Smethurst’s trial_), 507

HEY, R. and W. Medical men,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 250

HICKS, MARY,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 251

HOBSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 249

HOPE, Lord Justice Clerk,
judgment on L’Angelier’s diary (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 359
charge (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 352-5

HORSES,
use of arsenic for, 379

HOSPITAL, LONDON
case of tetanus at, 178

HOSPITAL, ROYAL FREE,
case of tetanus at, 179

HOWARD, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 28

HYDRIDE OF ANTIMONY, 492

HYDRARGYRUM CUM CRETA (grey powder),
composition of, 513

HYDROCHLORIC ACID,
purification of, xvi.

HYDROCYANIC ACID,
synonyms and properties, 55
variations of strength of, 55-6
British Pharmacopœia (HCN), 57
sources of, 58-61
poisonous doses, 59, 79
the quickest poison, 2
quantity in apple pips (Cooper), 32
(Thomas), 40
(C. G. Stewart), 59-60
tests for detection of, preliminary, 61-3
odour test (_Tawell’s trial_), 24, 34
smell-blindness (Stewart), 63-7
silver test, 67-8
Prussian-blue test, 69
sulphur test, 70
guaiacum, uranium, picric acid, cupric sulphate, cobalt chloride,
potash and mercuric oxide tests, 71
peroxide of hydrogen test, 72
mercurous nitrate test, 72
apparatus for the silver, Prussian-blue, and sulphur tests, 72-3
salts of, 73-8
potassium cyanide, 73-4
mercuric cyanide, 74-5
cyanides of the heavy metals, 75
double cyanides, 75-6
sulphocyanides (Pharaoh’s serpent), 77
in the saliva, 78
oil of bitter almonds, amount in, 78
antidotes to, medicinal uses of, fatal dose, 79
symptoms of poisoning by, and _post-mortem_ appearances, 78-80
how long after death discoverable, 81-3

HYDROGEN, SULPHURETTED,
death by, 1
supposed presence of arsenic in, 396
reagent for antimony, 501

IGASURIA and IGASURIC ACID, 285

INGLIS, Dean of Faculty,
defence of Madeline Smith, 342-52

INGLIS, Lord Justice Clerk,
charge at Pritchard’s trial, 445

INHALING ARSENIC,
in asthma and bronchitis, 381

INSANITY,
plea of, evidence in support of (_Dove’s trial_), 254-60
affidavits in support of (_Lamson’s case_), 561

INSENSIBILITY,
symptom of poisoning by morphia and opium, henbane, stramonium,
nicotine, darnel, hemlock, fools’ parsley (doubtful), water
hemlock, Indian hemp, woody nightshade, berries of potato,
lobelia inflata, foxglove, cocculus indicus, some fungi,
chloroform, chloral, croton chloral, amylene, methylene
dichloride, sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic oxide, belladonna, 2
not in strychnia, 288

IVORY, LORD,
judgment on extracts from L’Angelier’s diary, 363

JONES, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 101-4, 190

JULIUS, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 453

KEELING, MARY,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 104
omitted by Lord Chief Justice, 104, note

KERR,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 431

KILLERS, VERMIN,
composition, 283, 379

KITCHEN,
evidence of insanity (_Dove’s trial_), 259

LAMSON, G. H., Dr.,
trial for murder of brother-in-law. Chap. X., 514
history of the case, 516-20
evidence of medical attendants (Berry, Little), 520
_post-mortem_ (Little), 521-3
(Bond), 524-6
analytical evidence (Dr. Stevenson), 526
(cross-examination), 532
(Dr. Dupré), 538
previous acts of (J. L. and W. Tulloch), 539
(Bedbrook), 541
purchase of poison by (C. A. Smith), 543
(Dodd, Shilling), 544
remarks on Poisons Act by judge, 544, note
surrender of prisoner, 546
defence (Montagu Williams), 547-53
reply (Solicitor-General, Herschel), 553-5
judge’s charge (Sir H. Hawkins), 555-60
verdict and sentence, 560
affidavits in support of application for inquiry into his
sanity, 561

L’ANGELIER,
poisoning of. _See_ MADELINE SMITH.
extracts from diary, judgment on, 342-59
did he commit suicide? 395-6

LAWRIE, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 325

LEAD
process for alkaloids, 7, 279

LEE, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 117

LEES, Dr.,
evidence of (_Barlow’s trial_), 272

LETHEBY, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 166-9
(_Merritt’s trial_), 366, 395

LEWIS, Sir C.,
decision in Smethurst’s case, 479

LIQUOR,
strychniæ, 283
arsenicalis, 379

LITTLEJOHN, Dr.,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 424-5

MACDONALD, W., Dr.,
evidence and cross-examination (_Palmer’s trial_), 180-2

MACHATTIE,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 431

MACLAGAN, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 326
(_Pritchard’s trial_), 412, 422-3

MARSH’S PROCESS (arsenic), 388
(antimony), 500

MAYER’S REAGENT FOR ALKALOIDS, 10

MERCURY,
symptoms of, 3
grey powder, 513
stain on copper, 499

MERRITT, ANN,
trial for poisoning her husband, 364-72
medical and analytical evidence (Toulmin), 365
(Letheby), 366
purchase of poison by, 368
acts and statements (Gillett), 368
(Coward), 369
prisoner’s defence, 371
charge and verdict, and reprieve, 372
case referred to at Palmer’s trial, 168

METALLIC STAINS ON COPPER,
distinctions between, 499

METALS,
cleansing and bronzing of, by arsenic, 380

MILLER, Dr.,
evidence of (_Winslow’s trial_), 486

MILLS, ELIZABETH,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 94-8

MINIMS AND DROPS,
(_Ball’s trial_), 50, 51
table of relative proportions of, 81

MONCKTON, Dr.,
evidence of (_post-mortem_, _Palmer’s trial_), 109

MORLEY, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 124-7
(_Dove’s trial_), 242-7

MORPHIA,
symptom of poisoning by, 2
distinction from strychnia, xv.
process for extracting, 8, 9
was it used by Palmer? 291

MORSON’S ACONITINE, 577-9

MOTIVE,
remarks on (Inglis, defence of M. Smith), 347
(Inglis, charge, _Pritchard’s trial_), 445
(Hope, Lord Justice Clerk, _M. Smith’s trial_), 439
(Shee, Serjeant, defence of Palmer), 201

MYATT, GEORGE, Saddler,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 92, note

MYATT, JAMES, Postboy,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 193-4

NEWTON,
chemist, evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 184, and note

NEPALINE AND NAPELLINE,
aconite alkaloids, 569, 577

NEURALINE,
preparation of aconite, 579

NITRIC ACID,
test for brucia, 285
for morphia, xv., 6, 285 note

NORBLAD, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 36-7

NUNNELEY, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 152-63
(_Dove’s trial_), 184, and note

ODLING, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 464

ORPIMENT,
composition and properties, 381
as a cosmetic, 320, 382
MARY ANN BURDOCK, 382, and note

OXIDATION TEST FOR STRYCHNIA, 280

OXIDES OF ANTIMONY, 495

OXIDES OF ARSENIC, 374, 382

PAINTS,
arsenic in, 377

PALMER, WILLIAM,
trial of, for murder of J. P. Cook. Chap. II., 84
his connection with Cook, 84-94
health of Cook, 90-1, note
sickness of Cook at Shrewsbury, 91-3
Cook’s symptoms at Rugeley (Elizabeth Mills), 94-6
(Lavinia Barnes), 98
(Mary Keeling), 104
medical evidence (Bamford), 99-100
(Jones), 101-4
_post-mortem_ (Harland), 105-9
(Monckton), 109
(Devonshire), 109, note, 134, note
medical experts (J. B. Curling), 111
(Dr. Todd), 114
(Daniell, Solly, Lee), 119
(Sir Benjamin Brodie), 117
(Dr. Jackson), 119-20
late cases of strychnia (Agnes Sennett), 121
(Mrs. S. Smyth, Romsey), 122
(Mr. Clutterbuck), 123
(Mrs. Dove, _see_ MORLEY), 124-7
analytical evidence (Dr. Taylor), 128-45, 291
(Rees and Brande), 145
(Professor Christison), 146-8
medico-scientific evidence for defence, points of, 149-50, 288
(Mr. Nunneley), 152-63
(Mr. Herapath), 163-6
(Dr. Letheby), 166-9
(Professor Rogers), 170
(Dr. F. Wrightson), 170
(Mr. Partridge), 171-3
(Pemberton and Robinson), 174
(Dr. Richardson), 175, 468, 289.
cases of tetanus on part of defence, 177-82
purchase of poison by, 183-5
acts of, during illness and after death of Cook, 186-96
J. Myatt, evidence of, 193
letter to the coroner, &c., 194-5
committal of, for murder, and conduct in gaol, 196
evidence of, in forged bill case, 196, note
defence of, by Mr. Serjeant Shee, 196-208
reply of Attorney-General, 208
charge of Lord Campbell, 220
verdict and sentence, 231
remarks of Sir James Stephen, 231
suggested use of morphia by, 291

PARKE, Baron,
charge of (_Tawell’s trial_), 42-7

PARTRIDGE, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 171

PATERSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 404-26

PATTERSON, Servant,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 398

PEMBERTON, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Winslow’s trial_), 486

PENNY, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 357
(_Pritchard’s trial_), 413, 418, 420, 426

PERKINS, Constable,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 23

PHOSPHO-ANTIMONIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 12

PHOSPHO-MOLYBDIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 10

PHOSPHO-TUNGSTIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 11

PHOSPHORIC TEST FOR ACONITIA. _See_ ACONITE.

PICKERING, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 38

PICRIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 11

PIPERINE AND PYROXANTHINE,
distinctions from strychnia, 156, 281

PLATINIC CHLORIDE,
reagent for alkaloids, 12

POLLOCK, Lord Chief Baron,
censure of Inspector Coward, 369-70
charge (_Smethurst’s trial_), 473-7
report to Home Secretary, 478

PORTER,
does it disguise HCN? 37, 65

POTASSIUM TRI-IODIDE AND POTASSIO-MERCURIC-IODIDE,
reagents for alkaloids, 10

PRINCIPLES,
to be observed in testing for poisons, 14, 15

PRITCHARD, Dr.,
trial of, for murder of wife and mother-in-law, 397-448
history of the case (Patterson, McLeod), 398
symptoms (Gairdner, Paterson), 399
medical attendants, evidence of (Gairdner), 403
(Paterson), 404-26
purchase of poisons by, 412
_post-mortem_ examinations (Maclagan), 413-18
chemical analysis of medicines in Pritchard’s room, 413
of bodies (Penny), 418
of bottle of Battley’s solution, 419
experiments with Battley’s solution on animals, 420-1
causes of death (Dr. Maclagan), 422-3
(Dr. Littlejohn), 424-5
(Dr. Paterson), 426
declarations (official) of, 427
witnesses for defence (Dr. M. Taylor), 430
(Simpson, Foulner, Kerr, and McHattie), 431
speech of Solicitor-General, 431
Rutherford Clark for prisoner, 435
judge’s charge, 445
verdict, confession, 447

PRUSSIC ACID. _See_ HYDROCYANIC ACID.

PSEUDACONITIA. _See_ ACONITE.

PTOMAINES. _See_ CADAVERIC ALKALOIDS.

RAT POISONS,
arsenic in, 379

RICHARDSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 175
(_Smethurst’s trial_), 466

ROBERTS, Chemist,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 183

ROBERTSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 174

ROGERS, Professor,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 170
(_Smethurst’s_), 469

ROSS, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 180

SALTS OF HYDROCYANIC ACID,
symptoms, 79
_post-mortem_ appearances, 80

SARGEANT, J.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 91

SAVAGE, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 90, note

SCARTH, Chemist, 242
evidence of, (_Dove’s trial_), 242

SCHEIBLER’S REAGENT FOR ALKALOIDS, 11

SENNETT, AGNES,
case of tetanus (_Palmer’s trial_), 121

SHEE, Serjeant,
speech for defence (_Palmer’s trial_), 196-208

SHEEPWASH,
arsenic in, 377

SHILLING,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 544

SILICO-TUNGSTIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 12

SMETHURST,
trial of, for murder of Isabella Bankes, 448-79
history of the case (Ballantine), 449-53
evidence of medical attendants (Julius), 453-5
(Bird and Caudle), 455-6
_post-mortem_ examination (Barwell), 456-8
(Wilks), 458-9
medical experts for prosecution (Todd), 459
(Buzzard, Copland, Bowerbank, and Babbington), 460
analytical evidence (Taylor), 461-4
(Herapath’s letter on, Odling), 460
medical and analytical evidence for defence, 465-73
(Dr. Richardson), 466
(Drs. Rogers and Thudichum), 469
(Dr. Cornelius Webb), 470
(Dr. Girdwood), 472
(Dr. Tyler Smith), 473
judge’s charge (Pollock), 473-7
reference to Brodie, 478
pardon, 479
conviction for bigamy, 452
proof of Miss Bankes’ will, 452

SMITH, C. A., Chemist,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 543

SMITH, JEREMIAH,
examination and cross-examination (_Palmer’s trial_), 185, note

SMITH, MADELINE,
trial of, for murder, 295, 359
history of the parties, 295-8
declaration of the accused, 298-300
L’Angelier’s symptoms (Mrs. Jenkins), 300-3
medical attendants, evidence of (Dr. Thomson), 304
(Dr. Steven), 305
_post-mortem_ examination (Appendix A), 355
analytical evidence (Dr. Penny), 307
(Prof. Christison), 315-58
medical experts for defence (Dr. Lawrie), 325
(Dr. McLagan), 326
opportunities of administering poison—1st charge, 329
2nd charge, 330
3rd charge, 332
conduct and statements of (M. de Meau), 337-42
(C. Haggart), 340, note
proposed evidence from L’Angelier’s diary (Appendix C), 342, 359
the defence, 342
judge’s charge and verdict, 352-5
quantity of arsenic found in body of a murdered person
(Appendix B), 353

SMITH, PYEMAN, Dr.,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 258

SMITH, TYLER, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 473

SMYTH, Mrs.,
case of tetanus (_Palmer’s trial_), 122

SOLANINE,
extraction of, 8

SOLLY, Surgeon,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 117

SONNENSCHEIN’S REAGENT FOR ALKALOIDS, 10

SPECULUM METAL,
arsenic in, 381

SPINAL GRANULES (_Palmer’s trial_), 171-4
specimens at St. Thomas’ Hospital, 292-3

STEPHEN, Mr. Justice,
notes on Palmer’s trial, 169, 231-2
Dove’s trial, 268
Smethurst’s trial, 478-511

STEVEN, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 305

STEVENS,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 91, note

STEVENSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 526-32

STRYCHNIA (Chapter V.), 276
sources and properties of, 277
separation of, 278-80

STRYCHNIA TESTS,
microscope, taste, colour, 279, 280
galvanic (Letheby), 282
Marshall Hall’s, bichromate of potash, 282
picric acid, sodium nitrite, mercuric chloride, 283
preparations of (table), 283
vermin killers, 283-4
doses, medicinal, 285
fatal period for, 286
symptoms of, in man, 287
_post-mortem_ appearances, 289
treatment and antidotes, 290
value of colour tests, 291
discovery of, in the tissues, 291
did Palmer poison Cook with morphia? 292
supposed preparation of spinal gritty granules, 292-3
differences between morphia and, xv.

SULPHIDES,
of antimony, 491, 495
of arsenic, 381, 387

TANNIN OR TANNIC ACID,
reagent for alkaloids, 12
antidote to antimony, 497

TARTAR EMETIC. _See_ ANTIMONY, 494

TAWELL, JOHN,
trial of, for murder of Mrs. Hart, 16-49
previous life of, 17
symptoms of poison (Ashley, Barrett), 19, 20
conduct at Slough, 21
arrest of (Williams, Wiggins), 22
statement by (Perkins), 23
medical evidence (Champneys), 23-7
previous attempt to poison (Howard), 28
analytical evidence (Cooper), 28-36
(Norblad, Pickering), 36-8
purchase of poison by (Thomas), 39, 40
history of Mrs. Hart (Bateman, Hadler), 41
defence (Kelly), 41-2
judge’s charge (Parke), and verdict, 42-7
confession, question about publication of, 48
legal dispute about his Australian property, 48-9

TAYLOR, A. S., Dr., Analyst,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 128-45
(_Smethurst’s trial_), 461-4
and Herapath, 507

TAYLOR, MICHAEL, Dr.,
evidence of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 430

TEAL, Dr.,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 249

TEETH STOPPING,
arsenic used in, 378

THOMPSON, Dr.,
evidence of (_Madeline Smith’s trial_), 304

THUDICHUM, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 469

TODD, Dr.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 114
(_Smethurst’s trial_), 459

TOYS,
coloured with arsenic, 378

TRI-IODIDE AND TRIOXIDE OF ARSENIC. _See_ ARSENIC.

TULLOCH, J. L. and W.,
evidence of (_Lamson’s trial_), 539
petition to Home Secretary, 560

VOMITING,
a symptom of poisoning by all irritant poisons, acids, alkalies,
alkaline salts, &c., 2

WALKER, PETER,
trial of (Egglesham poisoning), 51-2

WALL PAPERS,
arsenic used in colouring, 378

WEBB, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 470

WIGGINS, Constable,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 22

WILKS, Dr.,
evidence of (_Smethurst’s trial_), 458

WILLIAMS, Inspector G. W. R.,
evidence of (_Tawell’s trial_), 22

WILLIAMS, CALEB, Dr.,
evidence of (_Dove’s trial_), 254

WILSON, CATHERINE,
case of tetanus (_Palmer’s trial_), 180

WINSLOW, THOMAS,
trial of, for murder of Mrs. James, 479-89
history of case, 479-82
medical and analytical evidence (Cameron), 482
(J. B. Edwards), 484
(Ayrton), 487
(Miller, Pemberton), 486
prisoner’s statements, 487
purchase of poison, 488
charge and verdict, 489

WITHAM, Mrs.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 124
(_Dove’s trial_), 240

WOOD, MARY,
evidence of, objection to, 233, note
(_Dove’s trial_), 241

WOOD PRESERVING,
arsenic used for, 377

WRIGHTSON, Dr. F.,
evidence of (_Palmer’s trial_), 170, 177

YOUNG, Solicitor-General,
speech of (_Pritchard’s trial_), 431

THE END.

BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Christison on Poisons, 1829, p. 491.

[2] For instance, strychnia or strychnine, morphia or morphine,
aconitia or aconitine, are the same substances.

[3] 39 & 40 Vict. cap. 77, sec. 12.

[4] Potassio-mercuric iodide, made by dissolving 50 grammes of
potassium iodide and 13·5 grammes of mercuric chloride, in a
litre of distilled water. The reagent is added till no further
precipitate is produced, which is known by filtering a small
portion at intervals and testing with the potassio-mercuric
iodide to see if finished. The strength of the solution must
be, as nearly as possible, 1 part of the alkaloid in 200, so
that an _approximate_ idea must first be obtained by weighing
or otherwise. As the quantity is in poison cases generally
too small to weigh, the approximate idea must be gathered by
comparing the intensity of the tests with those furnished by
known amounts of the alkaloid. Each cubic centimetre of Mayer’s
solution precipitates ·02 gramme of morphia, ·0268 of aconitia,
and ·0167 of strychnia. For further details see Blyth’s
Practical Chemistry, 1879, p. 289.

[5] Rennard (Chem. Centr. 1876, 456) asserts that acetic ether
is preferable to amylic alcohol, as the latter dissolves more
colouring matter.

[6] To recover the alkaloid, dissolve the precipitate in
sufficient sulphurous acid solution, and evaporate: the
sulphate is left (Wagner).

[7] If the picrate precipitate be dissolved in dilute potash,
and the solution shaken with ether-chloroform, the latter, on
evaporation, leaves the alkaloid again in a free state.

[8] At the inquest this witness said that she rinsed out one of
the glasses on the table to give the deceased the water.

[9] Evidence of Katherine White, barmaid; W. Marton, gardener;
J. Kendal, waiter at the Jerusalem Coffee-house; H. Crapp,
clerk G. W. Railway, Slough; G. Lewis, postboy at Salthill;
R. Roberts, innkeeper, Slough; C. Wibberts, guard of G. W.
R.; Weymouth, a plumber; E. J. Howell, superintendent of
Slough station; Rev. E. T. Champneys T. Holman, constable, of
Farnham-Royal.

[10] At the inquest, this witness, speaking of the results of
the chemical analysis, said:—“It may not have been prussic
acid, but in conjunction with some salt nearly allied to it. I
do not think it was administered by itself but in some liquid.
The salts of prussic acid have not the same pungent peculiar
odour as prussic acid itself. They would produce death, but he
could not say how quickly.” Mr. Norblad, on the same occasion,
suggested that one of the salts into the composition of which
prussic acid enters, might have been given; “that cyanide of
potassium, the salt to which he referred, would cause death
in from two seconds to a quarter of an hour, according to the
amount given.” At the time of the inquest it was not known
that the prisoner had bought of Thomas, Scheele’s solution of
prussic acid. On the properties of the various kinds of these
salts, see Mr. Stewart’s remarks, pp. 73-77.

[11] Doubtful. C. G. S.

[12] On the mooted question of “odour,” see Mr. Stewart’s
experiments and remarks on smell-blindness, pp. 63-66.

[13] In giving the examination-in-chief of this witness, I
have, through the kindness of Mr. C. Platt, the clerk of
assize of the old Norfolk circuit, been able to correct the
cotemporary reports in the _Times_ and the _Bucks Herald_by the
original report of his experiments made by Mr. Cooper to the
prosecution. Mr. Cooper was unable to be at the inquest, and
the results of such of these experiments as Messrs. Champneys
and Norblad had witnessed were then alone given in evidence,
excluding those where the odour of prussic acid was smelt by
Mr. Cooper and his sons, and where the quantity in the portion
of the contents of the stomach submitted to analysation was
determined.

[14] See the table of Mr. Stewart’s experiments on bitter and
sweet apples, and other fruits, p. 59.

[15] The reporter is wrong here; see cross-examination of Mr.
Champneys, p. 24, in which he says that neither Mr. Norblad nor
Mr. Pickering smelt the odour on the first opening of the body.

[16] Sweet almonds would not affect the production of prussic
acid from the apple-pips, except as tending to produce emulsine.

[17] See note at p. 38 as to Pickering’s evidence on this point.

[18] See p. 58.

[19] Judge Therry’s Reminiscences of 30 Years’ Residence in N.
S. Wales. 2nd edition, p. 107. I have altered the conclusion
of the Judge’s remarks from information supplied to me by a
relative well acquainted with Sydney in those days.

[20] Animal matter contains the elements carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen: the carbon and nitrogen unite with the
alkaline metal to form a cyanide, or a ferrocyanide if iron
also be present.

[21] Case of Sir T. Boughton, 1781.

[22] The potash and ferrous salt form potassium sulphate and
ferrous hydroxide, the latter combines with cyanogen and more
potash to form potassium ferro-cyanide, the ferric chloride
with the potash produces ferric hydroxide and potassium
chloride; when the hydrochloric acid is added, it dissolves up
the excess of ferrous and ferric hydroxides, forming ferrous
and ferric chlorides, and the ferric chloride unites with the
potassium ferrocyanide to form ferric ferrocyanide or Prussian
blue.

[23] Professor Carey Lea (American Journal of Science, 3,
ix., 121) prefers to mix a weak solution of ammonio-ferrous
sulphate with a little ammonio-ferric citrate, to acidify with
hydrochloric acid, then to place two or three drops of this
on a white plate, and to add a few drops of the suspected
solution. A blue cloudiness indicates HCN. This method, he
says, is capable of detecting 1/5000 of a grain of HCN. But I
do not think it more delicate than the old method if properly
performed, and it does not so easily admit of comparative
experiment as to quantity.

[24] Professor Toynbee met his death by incautious use in this
way.

[25] Death from suffocation.

[26] 19 Vict. c. 16.

[27] The authorities for the following report are (1) Report of
Trial of William Palmer. J. Gilbert, Lond., 1856. (2) Reprint
of _Times_ Report of the Trial. Ward and Lock, Lond., 1856; and
the Life and Career of William Palmer, by the same publishers.
(3) Verbatim Report of the Trial, from shorthand notes of Mr.
Angelo Bennett. J. Allen, Lond., 1856. (4) Letter to Lord Chief
Justice Campbell by the Rev. Thomas Palmer, brother to the
prisoner, with appendix of documents, including memorial from
his solicitor to Sir G. Grey, letters and newspaper criticisms.
Taylor, Lond., 1856. I have also availed myself of Mr. Justice
Stephens’ summary of the trial and his comments on the
evidence, in the appendix to the third volume of his History of
the Criminal Law of England.