Suppose a case could be described as of shorter duration, such as a day or a few hours, would your medical experience lead you to infer that the premonitory symptoms had very likely been neglected?—I should consider that probable.
Bearing in mind the distinction between traumatic and idiopathic tetanus and a case such as has been here described, have you ever seen such a death as this was with the symptoms mentioned proceed from natural causes?—No.
Re-examined by Mr. Grove—What are the other symptoms which you consider inconsistent with strychnia?—The sickness manifested before the attack came on; the beating of the bed clothes with the arms, want of sensitiveness to external impression, and the sudden cessation of the convulsions, and apparent complete recovery.
You mentioned previously the time that occurred between the ingestion of the poison and the paroxysm coming on. What inference do you deduce from that?—That it is inconsistent with strychnia.
As to the mode in which it came on without premonitory symptoms, do you consider that is inconsistent with strychnia?—There was apparently an absence of the usual condition that is described.
You stated that the bent form indicated some tetaniform symptom. Did that answer apply to natural tetaniform as well as to tetaniform convulsions caused by strychnia?—Yes. The bent form of the feet indicated tetanic spasm. That would be the case whether it was a tetaniform spasm with poison or without poison.
By Lord Campbell—And the other symptoms of rigidity?—It is rather a question of degree.
They would be more violent if from poison?—No doubt.
You have stated in the cases of tetanus you have seen there was no intermission. Do you know, from your reading, that the intermission of the disease is a frequent thing?—I know it occurs, but it is not frequent.
As to decomposition of the spine. Do you think it could remain for nine weeks undecomposed?—I do not.