The detection of poison in the body is of course the most important proof of poisoning; but it may be suggested that the poison was introduced after death, which, to say the least, is a most ingenious line of defence, but which, at the same time, must be held to be highly improbable, and impossible if found deposited in one or more of the solid organs. Again, granting that poison has been taken, is it the cause of death? This question may arise when injuries are found on the body, and it then becomes a matter of importance to know something of the symptoms which preceded death, and the morbid appearances found after death. The case of the girl who took arsenic to escape a beating by her father is a case in point. The father was tried for causing the death of the girl by undue severity, but it was subsequently shown that arsenic self-administered was the true cause of death. The poison may disappear from the body. This disappearance may be effected by vomiting, purging, or by the urine, or the poison may become absorbed and decomposed. The person poisoned may live sufficiently long to allow of the entire elimination of the poison, and yet die of the induced exhaustion. (See case of Dr. Alexander, _ante_.) Some poisons, especially those which are sparingly soluble, are with difficulty removed from the stomach, even by the most incessant and violent vomiting. This is notably the case with arsenic, which adheres to the mucous coat of the stomach with considerable tenacity. But even after all traces of the poison have left the stomach, it may be detected in the solid viscera. Temporary deposit of poison in the organs or tissues (Taylor): (1) The Liver. (2) The Kidneys. (3) The Spleen. (4) The Heart. (5) The Lungs. (6) The Muscles. (7) The Brain. (8) The Fat. (9) The Bones. With regard to arsenic, the following table, taken from Taylor, is of importance, as showing the amount of the poison which may be found in the liver at certain intervals: After taking the Poison. Total Weight of Arsenic. In 5½ to 7 hours 0.8 grains. 8¾ hours 1.2 15 hours 2.0 17 to 20 hours 1.3 10½ days 1.5 14 days 0.17 17 days _nil_