Introductory material

Of Homicide generally Vol. ii.—1

Of Real and Apparent Death 3

Of the Physiological causes and Phenomena of Sudden Death 16

Syncope 25

Suffocation 32

1. By Drowning 35

2. By Hanging 42

1. By pressure on the Vessels 43

2. By pressure on the Nerves of the Neck 44

3. By pressure on the Fracture of the Spine, and Dislocation of the Neck 44

3. By Manual Strangulation 46

4. By Smothering 48

5. By the Inhalation of Air deprived of Oxygen 48

6. By other modes 55

v_aDeath by Exposure to Cold 59

Death by the Agency of Heat 63

Death by Lightning 63

Death by Starvation 67

Application of the physiological facts established in the preceding Chapters, to the general treatment of Asphyxia 75

On the manner of producing Artificial Respiration 78

By the Application of Heat 81

By the Internal Exhibition of Stimulants 82

By Electricity 82

Treatment of particular cases of Asphyxia 84

Case 1. Wherein the action of the heart fails before that of the respiratory organs 84

Case 2. Wherein the function of respiration ceases, while the heart continues to circulate black blood 86

Of the Coroner’s Inquest 93

Suicide 104

Of Murder generally 110

1. By exposing a sick or weak person, or infant, to the cold 110

2. By exposing an impotent person abroad, so that he may receive mortal harm 110

3. By Imprisoning a man so strictly that he dies 111

4. By Wounding or Blows 116

a. Incised wounds, or cuts 119

b. Punctures 120

c. Bruises 121

d. Lacerations 123

e. Gun-shot wounds 124

5. By Poisoning 128

Of Poisons, chemically, physiologically, and pathologically considered 131

Their literary history 131

Of slow, consecutive, and accumulative Poisons 143

1. Of slow Poisons 143

2. Of consecutive Poisons 147

3. Of accumulative Poisoning 148

General remarks on the Medical Evidence required to substantiate an accusation of Poisoning 153

1. Whether all, or most of the symptoms, characteristic of the action of Corrosive and Narcotic Poisons, may not arise from morbid causes of spontaneous origin? 155

2. Whether organic lesions similar to those produced by poisoning, may not occasionally result from natural causes? 162

vi_a3. Whether the rapid progress of putrefaction in the body, generally, or in any particular part, is to be considered as affording presumptive evidence, in support of an accusation of poisoning? 182

4. How far the absence of poison, or the inability of the Chemist to detect it, in the body, or in the fluid ejected from it, is to be received as a negative to an accusation of poisoning 182

5. What degree of information can be derived from administering the contents of the stomach of a person supposed to have been poisoned, to dogs, or other animals? 193

On the Classification of Poisons 199

A classification of the different modes by which Poisons produce their effects 207

Mineral Poisons 209

Class I. Corrosive Poisons 210

Arsenic 210

Arsenious acid, or white oxide of arsenic 212

1. Symptoms of poisoning by the Arsenious acid 216

Symptoms of the first degree 216

Symptoms of the second degree 217

Different modes of poisoning by the Arsenious acid 220

Physiological action of Arsenious acid 223

Organic lesions discovered on dissection 225

Of the Chemical processes by which the presence of Arsenious acid may be detected 232

1. The Arsenic is in a solid form 232

A. By its reduction to the metallic state 233

B. By the application of certain re-agents, or tests, to its solution 240

2. The arsenious acid is mixed with various alimentary and other substances 252

Arsenic acid, and its salts 256

The sulphurets of arsenic 257

Mercury 257

Corrosive sublimate 257

Symptoms of poisoning by corrosive sublimate 259

1. Symptoms which follow a large dose 260

2. Symptoms which are produced by the repetition of small doses 260

Physiological action of Corrosive Sublimate 262

Antidotes to Corrosive Sublimate 263

Organic lesions discovered on dissection 266

Of the Chemical processes for its detection 267

a. By its metallization through the agency of Galvanism 268

b. By precipitating metallic mercury from its solution, by the contact of a single metal 269

3. It is dissolved in various coloured liquids 272

4. It is mixed or combined with some medicinal body in a solid form 273

vii_a5. It is united with alimentary substances which have effected its decomposition 274

6. It is decomposed, and a part exists in intimate combination with the membranes of the alimentary canal 274

Red Oxide of Mercury 275

Red Precipitate 276

Other preparations of Mercury 276

Antimony 277

Emetic Tartar, Tartarized Antimony 279

Symptoms of poisoning by it 280

Antidotes 280

Physiological action of Emetic Tartar 282

Organic lesions discovered by dissection 283

Tests for the detection of Emetic Tartar 284

1. The poison is in a solid form 284

2. It is mixed with various alimentary substances 285

Copper 285

Oxide of Copper 287

Green Carbonate of Copper, Natural Verdegris 288

Verdegris 290

Blue Vitriol 291

Symptoms of poisoning by the Salts of Copper 291

Organic lesions discovered on dissection 291

Chemical detection of their presence 291

A. By their reduction to a metallic state 292

B. By the application of certain tests to their solutions 293

The suspected poison is mixed with alimentary substances 294

Tin, and its Muriates 295

Zinc 296

White Vitriol, Sulphate of Zinc 297

Symptoms of poisoning by it 297

Organic lesions 298

Chemical processes for its detection 297

Silver 299

Lunar Caustic, Nitrate of Silver 299

Chemical processes for its detection 300

The Concentrated Acids 301

Oil of Vitriol, Sulphuric Acid 302

Symptoms of poisoning by it 303

Organic lesions 304

Antidotes 304

Chemical processes for its detection 305

Nitric Acid 305

Symptoms of poisoning by it 306

Organic lesions 309

Chemical processes for its detection 312

Spirit of Salt, Muriatic Acid 313

Symptoms of poisoning by it 313

viii_aChemical processes for its detection 314

Oxalic Acid 315

Symptoms of poisoning by it 316

Antidotes 316

Chemical tests for its detection 316

Boiling Water 316

Melted Lead 317

The Caustic Alkalies 318

Potass or Potash 319

Liquor Potassæ 320

Chemical tests for its detection 320

Potassa Fusa, or Kali Causticum 321

Potassa eum Calce 321

Sub-carbonate of Potash, Pearl Ash 322

Symptoms of poisoning by any of the above 322

Preparations 322

Antidotes 323

Organic lesions 323

Soda 323

Ammonia and its Carbonate 323

Symptoms of poisoning by Ammonia 324

The Caustic Alkaline Earths 325

Quick Lime 325

Symptoms of poisoning by Lime 325

Organic lesions 326

Tests for its detection 326

Baryta, and its Salts 327

Symptoms of poisoning by Baryta 327

Physiological action of it 328

Antidotes 328

Chemical tests for its detection 329

Cantharides 330

Symptoms of poisoning by it 331

Organic lesions 332

Methods of detecting its presence 333

Phosphorus 333

Symptoms of poisoning by it 333

Mechanical Poisons, Powdered Glass, &c. 334

Class II. Astringent Poisons 336

Lead 336

Sugar of Lead, Plumbi super acetas 349

Goulard’s Extract, Liquor Plumbi sub-acetatis 350

White Lead, Sub-carbonate of Lead, Cerusse 350

Litharge, semi-vitrified Oxide of Lead 351

Red Lead, Minium 352

Symptoms of poisoning by the different preparations of Lead 353

By small and repeated doses 355

ix_aOrganic lesions 357

Physiological action of Lead poisons 358

Chemical processes for their detection 361

1. When it exists in some unknown state of combination 361

2. Is dissolved in Wine 363

3. Is dissolved in Oils 364

4. Is mixed with alimentary matter 365

Vegetable Poisons 366

Class III. Acrid or Rubefacient Poisons 371

Camboge or Gamboge 371

White Hellebore, Veratrum Album 372

Black Hellebore, Melampodium 374

Fœtid Hellebore, Helleborus fœtidus 375

Elaterium, Wild Cucumber 375

Colocynth, Coloquintida. Bitter Apple 377

Euphorbium 377

Savine, Juniperus Sabina 378

Aconite, Monks-hood 379

Nitre, Nitrate of Potass 381

Symptoms of poisoning by Nitre 381

Organic lesions 382

Chemical processes for its detection 382

Class IV. Narcotic Poisons 382

Opium, and its preparations 383

Symptoms of poisoning by Opium 388

Physiological action of Opium 390

Treatment in cases of poisoning by it 391

Organic lesions 393

Of the detection of Opium 394

Black Henbane, Hyoscyamus Niger 395

Prussic Acid, Hydro-cyanic acid 396

The Laurel (Prunus lauro-cerasus) and its distilled water 396

Bitter Almonds 396

Action of Hydro-cyanic acid as a poison 396

Physiological action of Prussic acid 404

Antidotes 406

Organic lesions 407

Chemical processes for its detection 408

Class V. Narcotico-acrid Poisons 410

Deadly Night-shade, Atropa Belladonna 410

Symptoms of poisoning by it 411

Physiological action 412

Organic lesions 412

Modes of detecting its presence 413

Stramonium, Thorn Apple 413

Tobacco, Nicotiana Tabacum 414

x_aSymptoms of poisoning by it 418

Its physiological action 419

Hemlock, Cicuta 420

Nux Vomica 421

Cocculus Indicus 423

Poisonous Mushrooms 425

Symptoms of poisoning by them 428

Organic lesions 433

Antidotes 434

Alcohol 434

Symptoms of poisoning by it 436

Its physiological action 437

Treatment of persons in a state of Inebriety 439

Animal poisons 440

Class VI. Septic Poisons 440

The Bites of Venomous Animals 440

Symptoms of the bite of a Viper 441

Physiological action of its poison 442

Putrescent Animal matter 443

Poisonous Fishes 449

Symptoms of Fish poisoning 451

Its origin 452

Aërial Poisons 456

Mercurial vapours 458

Sulphuretted hydrogen gas 462

Carburetted hydrogen gas 464

Chlorine; oxymuriatic acid gas 464

Sulphurous acid gas 465

Of Homicide, by Misadventure or Accident 466

A Synopsis of the objects of inquiry in cases of sudden and mysterious sickness and death Vol. iii.—1

Case I. The patient is living, and medical assistance is required 1

Case II. The patient is dead—the attendants can furnish only an imperfect account of his dissolution 2

Case III. The body is found dead—its history is unknown 2

1. Inspection of the dead body 2

2. Circumstances to be learnt by an examination of surrounding and collateral objects 3

3. Circumstances to be learnt by the interrogation of competent witnesses 3

4. Circumstances to be learnt by anatomical dissection 3

A Commentary on the preceding objects of Inquiry 6

Case I. The patient is living, and medical assistance is required 6

Previous state of the patient, with respect to bodily health and strength, 8

xi_aAge and occupation 8

Present symptoms of the patient 8

Whether any, and what remedies have been used; by whom recommended; and by whom administered? 12

Appearance of the evacuations 13

Case II. The patient is dead—the attendants can furnish only an imperfect account of his dissolution 17

How soon is the deceased supposed to have died after the alleged cause of his dissolution? 17

Case III. The person is found dead, and the history of his dissolution is unknown 18

1. Circumstances to be learnt by inspection of the body 19

Situation and attitude of the body 20

General appearance of the countenance, as to colour, vascular turgescence, or congestion, and morbid physiognomy 21

Whether any discharge issues from the mouth, nostrils, ears, or any other orifice? 21

Apparent age of the deceased 22

Description of person, as to bulk, stature, obesity, muscular powers, &c. 22

Conformation of the neck as to shortness, thickness, &c. 22

Probable period that has elapsed since the extinction of life 23

Whether any, and what marks, punctures, contusions, ecchymoses, dislocations, or other injuries, are to be observed about the face, neck, chest, or any other parts of the body; and how far their appearance and character demonstrate the nature of the operation, or instrument by which they were inflicted? 26

Whether the wounds observed on the body were necessarily of a mortal nature, or sufficiently severe to have caused immediate death? 30

Whether they were inflicted during life? 31

Whether they resulted from an act of suicide, or otherwise, or whether from accident or design? 32

Whether the cloaths of the deceased betray any odour of spirit, tobacco, sourness, or putridity? 34

Whether any articles have been broken or injured in the pockets? 34

Whether there is reason to believe that the deceased has been robbed? 34

If the deceased be a female, whether there be any marks or bruises that would indicate the commission of a rape? 35

2. Circumstances to be learnt by an examination of surrounding and collateral objects 36

xii_aWhether the spot in question be of a description to explain the cause of the deceased having been found there, or how far its retired situation excites the suspicion that the body had been conveyed thither for concealment, or some other purpose? 36

Whether any indications of a struggle having happened on the spot are visible on the ground, or herbage near the deceased, and whether any footsteps can be traced near the body? 37

Has there been a thunder storm? 38

Whether any, and what weapons, are lying near the body; and what is their position in relation to it? 38

If the body be found in the water, are there any, and what reasons for supposing that it was killed by other means, and subsequently thrown into the water? 39

If the deceased be found hanging by the neck, whether he was suspended during life, or hung up after death? whether it was an act of suicide or of murder? 42

If the deceased be found in an apartment, whether it be in a house of ill-fame? 44

3. Circumstances to be learnt by the interrogation of competent witnesses 45

4. Circumstances to be learnt by anatomical dissection 45

Dissection of the brain and its membranes 46

Dissection of the contents of the thorax 52

Examination of the abdomen 60

Examination of the uterus and its appendages 67

Examination of the skeleton 73

Case of Thomas Bowerman 80

Abortion and Infanticide 84

Physiological Illustrations—Abortion 93

Physiological Illustrations—Infanticide 98

I. To ascertain whether the child was born alive? 100

A. Inspection of the body of the Infant 98

B. Phœnomena displayed on the dissection of the internal parts 107

Cavities of the mouth, œsophagus, larynx, and trachea 107

Thoracic cavity 108

1. A fœtus may breathe as soon as its head is without the vagina, and immediately die 113

2. The lungs may have been artificially inflated 115

3. The lungs may float, in consequence of putrefaction 116

The cranial cavity 121

C. The character of the spot on which the body was found 122

xiii_aII. Whether, supposing the child to have been alive, its death was the result of natural causes, of wilful violence, or of negligence and abandonment? 122

Death by omission 123

A new-born child may perish by exposure to cold 127

Death by commission 127

Of Criminal Responsibility, and Pleas in bar of Execution 131

Of Punishments 147

Postscript 153

APPENDIX. PART I.

Statute 9 Hen. 5 1

Lordinance encontre les entremettours de fysyk et de Surgerie 3

Statute 3 Hen. 8, c. 11. An act for the appointing of Physicians and Surgeons 3

Statute 5 Hen. 8, c. 6. An act concerning Surgeons to be discharged of Quests and other things 5

Statute 14 and 15 Hen. 8, c. 5. The privileges and authority of Physicians in London 7

The Charter of Incorporation 7

32 Hen. 8, c. 40. For Physicians and their privilege 14

Statute 32 Hen. 8, c. 42. For Barbers and Surgeons 17

34 and 35 Hen. 8, c. 8. A bill that no common Surgeons, may minister medicines notwithstanding the Statute 23

1 Mary, c. 9. An act touching the Corporation of the Physicians in London 25

6 and 7 Will. 3, c. 4. An act for exempting Apothecaries from serving the offices of constable, scavenger, and other parish and ward offices, and from serving upon juries 27

Continued by 1 Ann, st. 1, c. 11 27

Made perpetual by 9 Geo. 1, c. 8, § 1 29

xiv_a10 Geo. 1, c. 20. An act for the better viewing, searching, and examining of all drugs, medicines, waters, oils, compositions, used, or to be used, for medicines, in all places where the same shall be exposed to sale, or kept for that purpose, within the city of London and suburbs thereof, or within seven miles circuit of the said city 30

[This act has not expired.]

18 Geo. 2, c. 15. An act for making the Surgeons of London, and the Barbers of London, two separate and distinct corporations 30

55 Geo. 3, c. 194. An act for better regulating the practice of Apothecaries throughout England and Wales 52

A Royal Charter granted to the Apothecaries of London, 30 Maii, 13 Jacobi 71

Royal Letter to the College of Physicians. Charles R. 92

To our trusty and well-beloved the Lord Mayor of our city of London for the time being, and to the Deputy Lieutenants and Commissioners of the Militia of London and Westminster that now are and hereafter shall be, and to all other Officers and Ministers whom it may concern. Charles R. 93

College Questions resolved by the Lord Chancellor and Judges in the 5th of King James, his reign, An. Dom. 1607, 94

Concerning punishment and correction against offenders 96

Cases 98

Dr. Bonham’s case 96

Dr. Groenvelt, versus Dr. Burwell and others, Censors of the College of Physicians 119

William Rose’s case 127

Dr. Stanger’s case 131

Habeas Corpus, and Censors Warrant for commitment of Empirics 145

Dr. Burgess’ case 147

Dr. Winterton’s Letter to the President 147

Lilly’s Diploma. The license of Dr. Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, granted to William Lilly, the Astrologer, to practice Physic, dated A. D. 1670 150

Order in Council, 26th July, 1809 151

King, v. College of Surgeons 153

Midwife’s Oath 160

Certificate of the College of Physicians concerning the Midwives of London 162

xv_a59 Geo. 3, c. 41. An act to establish regulations for preventing contagious diseases in Ireland. 14 June, 1819 164

14 Geo. 3, c. 49. An act for regulating Mad-houses 170

Report of the Select Committee appointed to consider the validity of the doctrine of contagion in the Plague, 14th June, 1809 185

Chorley, M.D. v. Bolcot, executor 187

Lipscombe, v. Holmes, Esq. 189

Slater, v. Baker and Stapleton, C. B. 189

Seare against Prentice 194

APPENDIX. PART II.

Severn, v. Olive 201

Two notes on the legal time for Human Birth, (from Hargrave’s Jurisconsult Exercitations) 209

APPENDIX. PART III.

The determination of the College concerning the questions proposed to them by the King’s Majestie about the death of Joseph Lane 225

Case of Standsfield. Edin. Dec. 1, 1687 227

Report of the Chirurgeons of Edinburgh on the same case 228

Report of the College of Physicians 229

Extract of the medical evidence in the case of Spencer Cowper, Esq. for the murder of Sarah Stout 230

Extract from the evidence of Doctor Anthony Addington, on the trial of Mary Blandy, at Oxford, 1752, for the murder of her father by Arsenic 236

Extracts from the evidence delivered on the trial of John Donellan, Esq. for the wilful murder, by poison, of Sir Theodosius Edward Allesley Boughton, Bart. at the Assizes of Warwick, March 30, 1781 243

Extracts from the evidence delivered on the trial of Robert Sawle Donnall, Surgeon and Apothecary, for the wilful murder, by poison, of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Downing, widow, at the Assizes at Launceston, March 31, 1817 277

The defence of Eugene Aram for the murder of Daniel Clarke 311

xvi_a