Cook, John Parsons, -1855; Palmer, William, 1824-1856 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London
Are you of opinion that an irritation of the nerves of the throat would
cause tetanus as well as the other nerves?--That was produced by
exposure to cold; it was therefore idiopathic.
Would any injury to any delicate nerves be a cause of
tetanus?--Decidedly.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: F. Wrightson]
Dr. FRANCIS WRIGHTSON, examined by Mr. KENEALY--I was a pupil of Liebig.
I am an analytical chemist and teacher of chemistry at the School of
Chemistry at Birmingham. I have studied and made experiments in various
poisons, including strychnia. I have not found any extraordinary
difficulties in the detection of strychnia. It is detected by the usual
tests. I have detected strychnia pure, and I have also discovered it
when mixed with impurity, such as bile, bilious matter from putrefying
blood, after having separated it from the impurities. Strychnia can be
discovered in the tissues. I have discovered it in the viscera of a cat
poisoned by strychnia, also in the blood of a dog poisoned by strychnia,
also in the urine of another dog poisoned by strychnia. I have heard the
theory propounded by Dr. Taylor as to the decomposition of strychnia by
the act of poisoning.
Are you of opinion strychnia undergoes decomposition in the act of
poisoning?--I am of opinion that it does not. If it were decomposed in
the act of poisoning I should say it would not be possible to discover
it in the tissues. Portions of strychnia can be discovered in extremely
minute quantities indeed. In the first case I mentioned of the detection
of strychnia in the blood, 2 grains were given to the dog. One grain was
given to the second dog, in which we detected it in the urine. Half a
grain was attempted to be administered to the cat, but a considerable
portion of it was spilt.
Assuming that a man was poisoned by strychnia, and that his stomach and
a portion of his tissues were sent within eight, or nine, or ten days
after death for analytical examination, do you say you could discover
the poison of strychnia in his remains?--I should have no doubt whatever
in saying so.
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL--Suppose the whole of this poison
to be absorbed, where would you expect to find it?--In the blood.
In its progress to its final destination, the destruction of life, does
it pass from the blood, or is it left by the blood in the solid tissues
of the body before it produces that effect?--I cannot tell.
If it has passed from the stomach by absorption in the blood, the whole
dose, into the circulation, do you say you would still expect to find
any of it?--Decidedly so, because I believe it exists as strychnia in
the blood.
Do you say you would still expect to find any of it in the stomach?--In
order to be absorbed it must be dissolved, and in that portion of the
fluid which surrounds the coats of the stomach I should expect to find
it.
Suppose the whole to be absorbed?--Then I should not detect it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account