Witness: I doubt whether it can.
Mr. Edward D. Moore, examined by Mr. Huddleston: About fifteen years ago I was in practice as a surgeon, and I attended, with Dr. Chambers, a gentleman named Clutterbuck, who was suffering from paralysis. We had been giving him small doses of strychnine when he went to Brighton. On his return he told us that he had been taking larger doses of strychnine, and we, in consequence, gave him a stronger dose. I made up three draughts, confining a quarter of a grain each. He took one in my presence. I remained with him a little time, and left him, as he said he felt quite comfortable. About three-quarters of an hour afterwards I was summoned to him. I found him stiffened in every limb, and the head drawn back. He was desirous that we should move and turn him, and rub him. We tried to give him ammonia, in a spoon, and he snapped at the spoon. He was suffering, I should say, more than three hours. Sedatives were given him. He survived the attack. He was conscious all the time.
Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee: The spasms ceased in about three hours, but the rigidity of the muscles remained till the next day. His hands and feet were at first drawn back, and he was much easier when we clinched them forwards. His paralysis was better after the attack.
Re-examined by the Attorney-General: Strychnine stimulates the nerves which act upon the voluntary muscles, and therefore acts beneficially in cases of paralysis.
The Attorney-General intimated that the next witness to be called was Dr. Taylor, and, as it was a quarter after five, the trial was adjourned until Monday, at nine o’clock.
Lord Campbell, before the jury left the box, exhorted them not to form any opinion upon the case until they had heard both sides. They should even abstain from conversing about it among themselves.
Mr. Serjeant Shee said that medical witnesses would be called for the defence.
His Lordship also expressed a hope that, if the jury were taken out upon the following day (Sunday), they would not be allowed to go to any place of public resort, and mentioned an instance in which a jury, under similar circumstances, had been conducted to Epping Forest.
The Court then rose, and the jury were conveyed to the London Coffee-house.