Report of the Chemical Examiner to Government. 49 



the symptoms, it was probable that aconite was the noxious agent 

 employed. 



Case 36th. — An earthen vessel and bottle from the Magistrate of 

 Midnapore, the former containing food ejected from the stomach, and 

 the latter the contents of that organ after the death of the man, said 

 to have been poisoned. A report from the Civil Surgeon accom- 

 panied the communication of the Magistrate. 



A trace of arsenious acid was discovered, but not in sufficient 

 quantity to decide, positively, that the man had died from the effects 

 of that poison, although this was probably the substance adminis- 

 tered. There was also evidence of the presence of a salt of zinc, due, 

 doubtless, to an emetic which had been administered upon the admis- 

 sion of the man into hospital. 



Case 37th. — An earthen pot containing Goor,* with which arsenic 

 was supposed to have been mixed, — forwarded by the Magistrate of 

 Etawah. 



It was found to contain a large quantity of sulphur et of arsenic. 



Section II. 



Investigations for the Military Board. 



1. Several colts in the Stud at Kooruntadhee having died very 

 suddenly, and under circumstances of suspicion, the Veterinary Sur- 

 geon recommended that a chemical examination should be instituted, 

 to detect any poison that might be present. 



The stomachs and intestines of some of them, with their contents, 

 were, accordingly, sent to Calcutta, and examined without success — 

 no known vegetable or mineral poison being discoverable. 



2. In consequence of certain doubts which had arisen, as to the 

 most eligible and effective composition for the manufacture of percus- 

 sion caps, I was ordered to proceed to Dum-Dum, and give my 

 opinion upon the subject to the Select Committee of Artillery Offi- 

 cers. I found, that the Chlorate of Potash, was the chief detonating 

 ingredient then employed, and after a few experiments in which its 



* The impure, dark-colored sugar of the bazaars. 



II 



