Reports of Trials for Murder by Poisoning; / by Prussic Acid, Strychnia, Antimony, Arsenic, and Aconita. Including the trials of Tawell, W. Palmer, Dove, Madeline Smith, Dr. Pritchard, Smethurst, and Dr. Lamson, with chemical introduction and notes on the poisons used

by G. Lathom Browne; active 19th century C. G. Stewart

Witness.—“No; but tetanus.”

Attorney-General.—“But you say that this was epilepsy. We are not talking of tetanus.”

Witness.—“You forget the tetanic complication.”

Attorney-General.—“If I understand it right then, the sexual excitement produces epilepsy, and the chancre superadds tetanic complications.”

Witness.—“I say the results of sexual excitement produce epilepsy.”

Attorney-General.—“What would be the effect of morphia given a day or two previously; would it not retard the action of the poison?”

Witness.—“No. I have seen opium bring on convulsions very nearly similar.”

Attorney-General.—“What quantity?”

Witness.—“A grain and a half. From my experience, I think if morphia had been given a day or two before, it would have accelerated the action of the strychnia. If this were a case of poisoning by strychnia, I should suppose that as both opium and strychnia produce congestion of the brain, they would act together and have a more speedy effect. If congestion of the brain was coming on when morphia was given to Cook on the Sunday and Monday nights it might have increased rather than allayed it.”