TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 9jf 



Suggestions for ascertaining the Causes of Death in Birds and Animals. 

 By W. E. C. NouRSE, F.R.Med. S; Chirur.S. 



The Medical Indications of Poisoning. Uy William E.G. Nourse, /S'Mr<7^oM 

 to the East and West Cowes Dispensary, and Felloio of the Royal Medical and 

 Chirurgical Society 



The medical proofs of poisoning are to be sought for, — 1. in the recognition of the 

 physiological or vital effects of the poison ; and 2. in the detection of the poison by tests: — 

 hy chemical tests, used in the test-tube, the subliming tube, or the blowpipe; by 

 mechanical tests, powerful microscopes being used for the identification of crystals'; 

 a.ndhy vital tests, portions of the suspected matter being given to animals, applied 

 to living tissues, or tasted vi'ith the tongue. 



The testing of a poison thus seems in a fair way of being thoroughly understood ; 

 but the methods of its recognition by its physiological or vital effects demand a few 

 further remarks. 



1. The author insists in an especial manner on the importance of recognizing the 

 earliest symptoms of the administration of a poison. 



2. The recognition of the severer and fully developed symptoms of poisoniny requires 

 no new comment ; yet we have seen that life has actually been allowed to pass away 

 without such recognition being made. 



3. In cases of recovery, it is important to note the manner in which the symptoms 

 ass off, and to observe the sequelce of them, if any. 



4. The mode of dying , when death takes place, is very indicative. There may be 

 death from coma, death from suffocation, or death from exhaustion, either of vital 

 power or of the vital fluid, or both. It is necessary to remember which sort of death 

 each poison produces, both to aid in identifying the poison, and for purposes of treat- 

 ment. 



5. The first thing sought for in examination after death should invariably he, phy- 

 siological evidence as to the mode of dying. The contents of the cavities of the heart 

 ought therefore to be examined before any other part is touched. It seems surprising, 

 that in the very able and careful post-mortem exammations now made, this needful 

 attention to the order of proceedings should be overlooked ; yet W'e every day read 

 accounts of such investigations in cases of the highest importance, in which no 

 notice is taken of ths contents of the heart, or if they are examined, it is after other 

 parts have been looked into, and when the empty or full condition of these cavities 

 can no longer be ascertained, owing to the vessels having been cut across. 



A proper examination of the contents of the heart, which can only be done rightly 

 if done first, would show the immediate physiological state which caused death, and 

 which points directly, through a more or less rapid series of effects of which it forms 

 the closing one, to the poison which originated them. 



Nor is it in cases of poisoning alone that this point should be attended to. It 

 should be done in all cases ; and should invariably form the first step in any post- 

 mortem examination. The uses and advantages of this proceeding will be obvious 

 to every medical man ; and for the sake of the student, who is generally called on 

 to assist or to be present, it ought to be especially insisted on. 



6. The other effects of poisons discovered in examinations post-mortem, are well known, 

 and have always received due attention . 



In fact, these, with the chemical detection of the poison, and the severer and fully 

 developed symptoms during life, are and have been generally relied on as the great 

 medical proofs of poisoning. They must continue to be so ; but it is also necessary that 

 the other points alluded to should not be ovei-looked, especially the earlier and pre- 

 monitory symptoms which indicate poisoning, and the information to be gathered 

 from inspection of the contents of the heart. 



Note on an instance of Instinct in a Caterpillar. 

 By Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., M.A., F.R.S. 



1856. 



