You have a note--“I have not altered the statement as to this point in a former edition, yet I strongly suspect that authors who describe the spasms which produce death, and continue the rigidity after death, must be inaccurate.” Is that your present opinion?--I think it is very likely, the interval being very short, that the attention may not have been attracted to the fact of there having been an interval of flaccidity. There have been some cases mentioned, very strong indications certainly, of the spasm having continued from the spasm of life to what we call spasm of death; but I still think the differences which are indicated in different cases may be explained on the supposition that there has been a want of minute and accurate attention. Now, you mention a case on page 906, where a boy, when he was touched, was immediately thrown into a fit. Is it your present impression that, in cases of poisoning by strychnia, there is a tendency to throw the patient into a fit when touched?--That is the only case. In animals it is very remarkable; it is not noticed in the generality of cases. I have been struck with the fact that it has not more often been noted. Dr. Watson’s book mentions one. It is not that the absence of it is noted, but that it is not mentioned at all. I have invariably observed it in animals, unless you touch them very gently indeed. [Sidenote: R. Christison] You stated that care was taken in administering strychnia to animals to administer it to them fasting. Do you think it not likely it would supervene more quickly if administered to an empty stomach?--Certainly. If resinous substances were used in a pill, would they not be found in the stomach on analysis afterwards?--No; if they were not acted upon they might pass into the intestines and be carried off. Then the strychnia would be discharged with them, would it not?--Certainly, or gradually acted upon with the resinous substances. I suppose if the resinous substances prevented the poison acting rapidly, it would prevent its absorption into the blood?--For a time. If so, the more likely to leave portions of it in the stomach or intestines as the case may be?--The more likely. Re-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL--Would that materially depend on the quantity of the dose?--Both on the dose and on the time during which the pill was allowed to remain. It appears that colour tests are not to be relied upon in the case of strychnia in an impure condition. In the first place, you may not find indications of strychnia, and secondly, they are subject to fallacy, even if the strychnia is pure, from other substances not containing strychnia presenting similar appearances. The Court then adjourned. Sixth Day, Tuesday, 20th May, 1856. The Court met at ten o’clock. [Sidenote: John Jackson]