Cook, John Parsons, -1855; Palmer, William, 1824-1856 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London
Examination resumed--What would be the effect of a man pulling a bell
violently if he was poisoned by strychnia?--I think it would be
extremely probable, if the dose had been sufficient, to destroy life,
provided the symptoms had made their appearance. I quite agree with Mr.
Herepath that, if a sufficient dose to poison has been administered, it
can and ought to be discovered. I have heard the medical evidence that
was given in this case and the evidence as to the symptoms. The symptoms
I attach very little importance to as the means of diagnosis, as you may
have the same symptoms developed from many different causes. There is
one principal reason I have, which is this--a dose of strychnia
sufficient to destroy life in one paroxysm would hardly require an hour
and a half or two hours. The cause of death was from convulsions,
epileptic convulsions with tetanic symptoms.
Does the interval of repose from the Monday night to the Tuesday at all
operate on your judgment in coming to that conclusion?--If my opinion
that it was of an epileptic character were correct, it would.
It is your opinion that if that were of an epileptic character--then
what follows?--The intermission from the Monday night would be
considered important, as epilepsy seizures very often recur about the
same hours, as I have seen them.
Assuming that a man was in such an excitable state of mind that he was
silent for two or three minutes after his horse winning a race, that he
exposed himself to cold and damp, that he excited his brain by drinking,
and he was attacked by violent vomiting, and after his death gritty
granules were found in the neighbourhood of his spine, could not, in the
present instance, such a death as it was arise from these causes?--Any
of these causes might aggravate or hurry it.
You say any one of those causes?--Might cause it.
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I am a general practitioner at
Garnkirk, near Glasgow, general surgeon to the ironworks, and parochial
medical officer. I have had personal experience of two cases of
idiopathic tetanus--this one I have recorded and another.
What you have been telling us about mental excitement, sensual
excitement, is not within your own observation?--This case might have
arisen from those causes.
Have you any reason to think it did?--I have no reason to do so.
Then do not tell us what it might have done. Now, in the case of
Catherine Wilson?--I saw her about half-past ten at night. She had been
ill very nearly an hour before I saw her. She had convulsions. She had
gone about her usual duties up to the evening. She felt a slight
lassitude previous to that time. It was only by close pressing that she
could call it to mind. The lockjaw, I think, came on in an hour or two;
I could not be positive.
In the other case, of Mr. Copeland?--It was a young child between three
and four months old.
Was that the person of the name of Copeland?--Yes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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