Answer.—“Oh, yes.”
Question.—“I believe there is no test of aconitia?”
Answer.—“No specific or characteristic chemical test.”
Question.—“What are the tests?”
Answer.—“We can tell chemically that it is an alkaloid. Then there is the physiological test, the effect on the tongue and the neighbouring parts, and its general effect on the system if taken in any quantity. Then the other physiological test is that it will kill, after a definite course of symptoms, as shown in my experiments with the mice.”
Question.—“Have you any doubt that you did find aconitia in the portions of the body you examined and in the vomit?”
Answer.—“Not the least. I have heard the description of the deceased boy. He had symptoms such as would arise from poisoning by aconite. His symptoms approached more nearly to those caused by that than any other poison. Judging from the symptoms discovered at the post-mortem examination, I should say that he died from poisoning by aconitia.”
Question.—“Is aconitia a medicine commonly used for spinal diseases in this country?”
Answer.—“No.”
Question.—“I do not know if you are aware of its use here by medical men?”