Suppose them to be very small and minute?—I should think there would be less likelihood of their producing inflammation.
Suppose an examination at a longer interval than nine days after death failed to detect the inflammation of the arachnoid, that the spinal cord and its integuments had not undergone any decomposition, and that the appearance was perfectly healthy, should you be warranted in inferring there was inflammation?—I should not conclude there was inflammation. Prior to decomposition I should not.
The examination was made by four medical men; are you of opinion that they would be competent judges as to decomposition?—[The question was objected to.]
Does arachnitis not sometimes extend to a matter of months, even where it extends to death?—It might go on for months.
Does it not affect the patient by a series of convulsions at recurring intervals?—That varies.
Did you ever know, or hear of, or read of a case in which the patient died after a single convulsion of arachnitis?—Not a single one.
What would be the concomitant symptoms; would it affect the rest of the patient or affect the general health?—I cannot say.
R. Partridge
Do you believe that a man could have twenty-four hours of complete repose?—No.
In the interval between the convulsions could he be quite well?—No; he would have pain and uneasiness according to the situation of the muscles convulsed, the back usually.