“No. I looked for it and should have taken possession of it, but it was not there.”
“Is there anything else that you have to tell us concerning your examination?”
“No, I think I have told you all I know about the case.”
The coroner cast an interrogatory glance at the jury, and when none of them accepted the implied invitation, he released the witness and named Dr. Barnes as his successor.
I need not record in detail the evidence of this witness. Having deposed that he was a Doctor of Science and lecturer on Chemistry at St. Martha’s Medical College, he proceeded to confirm Dr. Randall’s evidence as to the analysis, giving somewhat fuller and more precise details. He had been present at the autopsy, but he was not a pathologist and was not competent to describe the condition of the body. He had analyzed the contents of the medicine bottle with Dr. Randall’s assistance and he confirmed the last witness’s statement as to the quantity of arsenic found and the form in which it had been introduced—Fowler’s Solution.
“What is the strength of Fowler’s Solution?”
“It contains four grains of arsenic—or, more strictly, of arsenious acid—to the fluid ounce. So that, as the full bottle of medicine must have contained just over twelve and a half grains of arsenious acid, the quantity of Fowler’s Solution introduced must have been a little over three fluid ounces; three point fourteen, to be exact.”
“You are confident that it was Fowler’s Solution that was used?”
“Yes; the chemical analysis showed that; but in addition, there was the colour and the smell. Fowler’s Solution is coloured red with Red Sandalwood and scented with Tincture of Lavender as a precaution against accidents. Otherwise it would be colourless, odourless and tasteless, like water.”
On the conclusion of Dr. Barnes’s evidence, the coroner remarked to the jury: “I think we ought to be clear on the facts with regard to this medicine. Let Mabel Withers be recalled.”