You have mentioned what?—Yes, any alkaline phosphates.
(Witness withdrew.)
Mr. Joseph Collier Cookworthy (examined by Mr. Gifford.)
I believe you are a physician at Plymouth?—I am.
You have been present during the course of this trial, and have heard the examination of Dr. Edwards?—I have.
You have accordingly heard the tests that he applied to the contents of the stomach of Mrs. Downing?—I have, Sir.
Now I would ask you whether, in your judgment and experience, those tests be or be not conclusive?—I am satisfied that they are not.
When I ask you whether or not they be conclusive, I mean as to the existence of arsenic?—I am certain they are not, and that they do not unequivocally shew the existence of arsenic.
Do the same results follow from experiments from other compounds?—They do.
What, in your judgment, is the proper test by which the presence of arsenic would be discovered?—I am borne out by all philosophical chemists in this country, in stating that the only test that can bear a man out in swearing to its presence is, the reproduction of the metal; I mean the arsenic in its metallic state.