Have you ever known or read of a case in which the patient was conscious to the last?—No, I have not. I have seen it stated so, but I have never met with it.
In epilepsy you have these tetanic symptoms?—Yes, but before death consciousness is gone.
You have had considerable experience in idiopathic tetanus, and some five or six, perhaps, of traumatic. (An extract from the evidence of Mr. Jones was read.) I have read to you the description of Cook’s symptoms as witnessed by Mr. Jones. I ask you to point out any distinction between those symptoms and the symptoms of tetanus?—Do you mean the one paroxysm or the disease which is called tetanus?
I am speaking of the paroxysm of tetanus?—It is very like.
By Lord Campbell—You say this is not tetanus at all?—It is not. I never saw a case of tetanus in which the rigidity continued at the time of death and afterwards.
Cross-examination resumed—I am asking you as to symptoms of the paroxysms. I understand you to say the symptoms of the paroxysms are not distinguishable from those of tetanus?—Some of them are at the moment of death.
Give me any of them?
By Lord Campbell—This is not tetanus, but, as far as they go, they coincide with the symptoms of tetanus at the moment of death?—Yes.
Cross-examination resumed—Observe, you have here consciousness to the last. That before the man dies he says, “Turn me over,” and as soon as they turn him over he dies. Tell me of any case you know of in which death has ensued from convulsions, where the death was not from tetanus, in which the patient was conscious?—I have already said I do not know of such a case.
Let me call your attention to strychnia tetanus. Would you call the symptoms tetanic?—They are called so very properly.