VOL. XXXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 469 



shopkeeper in the town, and who, she thought, might oblige her customers 

 with it. Accordingly in a few days she gave about 2 oz. of the water to 

 one Mary Whaley, who had bought some goods of her. 



Mary Whaley drank about 1 thirds of what was filled out, and went away. 

 Frances Easton drank the rest. Mary Whaley went to another shop to buy 

 something else, and in about 4- of an hour after she had drank the water, she 

 complained of a violent disorder in her stomach. She was carried home, and 

 from that time she lost her speech, and died in about an hour, without vo- 

 miting, or purging, or any convulsion. 



The shopkeeper, Frances Eaton, sent notice to her sister Ann Boyse of 

 what had happened, who came immediately to her, and affirmed, that it was 

 not possible the cordial (as she called it) could have occasioned the death of 

 the woman ; and to convince her of it, she filled out about 3 spoonfuls, and 

 drank it. She continued talking with Frances Eaton about 1 minutes longer, 

 and was so earnest to persuade her of the liquor being inoffensive, that she 

 filled out 2 spoonfuls more, and drank it off likewise. She was hardly well 

 seated in her chair, when she died, without the least groan or convulsion. 



Frances Eaton, who, as was before observed, had drank somewhat above a 

 spoonful, found no disorder in her stomach, or elsewhere; but to prevent any 

 ill consequence, she took a vomit immediately, and has been well ever since. 



Mary Whaley was buried without being examined by any one, except the 

 coroner. The Dr. went to see Ann Boyse about 24 hours after her death, 

 but could not prevail to have her opened. She was about 6o years of age; her 

 countenance and skin appeared well coloured, and her features were hardly 

 altered, so that she looked as one asleep. Her belly was not swelled, nor had 

 she any other external mark of poison. 



This accident brought into discourse another of the like nature, which hap- 

 pened about 4 years before in the town of Kilkenny. A young gentleman, 



son to Mr. Evans, an alderman of the town, mistook a bottle of this 



laurel-water for a bottle of ptisan. What quantity he drank is uncertain, but 

 he died in a few minutes, complaining of a violent disorder in his stomach. 

 This affair was not much regarded at that time, because he laboured under 

 a distemper, to which, or to an improper use of remedies, his death was attri- 

 buted by those about him. 



The Dr. to satisfy himself further as to the effects of this poison, made 

 some experiments, in conjunction with some of his friends, an account of 

 which follows : 



Exper. 1. — October 3, 1728, they gave a large setting-dog 3 oz. of laurel- 

 water by the mouth. In 3 minutes he began to be strongly convulsed. His 



