614 ON DETECTING THE 
ing of bread.* Hence, in investigating whether 
or not, in any instance, poison has been inten- 
tionally and maliciously administered ; it is indis- 
pensable, when, on testing, we certainly detect the 
presence of arsenic, to ascertain completely that 
what we detect has not had its introduction from 
some accidental source ; no less is it the duty of 
a court of judicature to receive with the most 
scrutinous examination all evidence tendered on 
the subject, particularly when the quantity of 
arsenic detected is but small; and, from the facts 
and probabilities to be gathered from what I have 
adduced in this paper, together with the circum- 
stance of the great lack of chemical science among 
the generality of the members of the bar, I feel 
that I may, without hesitation, express my strong 
belief, that a person standing accused of having 
wilfully caused the death of another by poison, is 
far from being sure to have that fair treatment 
which he has a right to expect from a court 
whose only object is to deal out impartial justice, 
* It is very likely, that vinegar may hereafter (when 
pyrites acid has got into more general use than at present) 
be found to contain arsenic; the manufacturers of vinegar 
being in the habit of adulterating it with sulphuric acid, 
which the law allows them to do to a limited extent. 
