Dr. Wrightson
Dr. Wrightson, recalled, examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee—In your opinion, when the strychnia poison is absorbed into the system, does it become diffused by the circulation of the blood through the system, or does it collect in the tissues?—I should think it is diffused throughout the entire system by circulation if it be wholly absorbed, and it would depend on the rapidity with which death takes place after complete absorption, and on the quickness of circulation.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—Would the absorption be more complete if a longer time were given for the process between the administration and the death?—Certainly, it would be.
Is that supposing a minimum dose given sufficient to destroy life; if a long interval elapses between the taking of the poison and the death, the more complete the absorption the less the chance of finding it in the stomach?—Cæteris paribus that would be so.
By Mr. Serjeant Shee—Would you have a very good chance of finding it in the kidneys and spleen and in the blood?—Yes.
C. Watson
Catherine Watson, examined by Mr. Grove—I live at Garnkirk, in Scotland. Last October I was affected with a fit. I had no wound nor injury on my body before. I had taken no poison.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—I was not ill during the day. I was in low spirits, but not in pain. A few minutes before eleven at night I took a pain in the stomach, then two cramps in my arms, then I was very ill. I have never had cramps like this before nor since.