340 Simple method for the 



It may be objected, that the process I have described proves 

 only the presence of mercury, and does not show the state 

 of combination in which it has existed. This objection, 

 however, applies to every process for the detection of mer- 

 curial poisons, with the exception of Christison^s method by 

 ether, which in other respects, however, is too fallacious to 

 be depended on.* A medical jurist therefore can seldom 

 do more than prove the existence of mercury ; and, with the 

 precautions I have pointed out, the above process is capable 

 of proving that it existed in some soluble form ; and the only 

 common soluble salts of this metal — viz. corrosive sublimate 

 and the nitrate are both highly poisonous. Whether the 

 substance had acted as a poison or not, would be deter- 

 mined by the symptoms, and in the case of a person dying 

 under the symptoms of mercurial poisoning, it would in 

 general be sufficient to show that mercury was present in the 

 viscera. 



By the foregoing process the quantitative estimation of the 

 corrosive sublimate may easily be effected. By introducing 

 successive portions of copper into the liquid till no further 

 deposits of mercury occur, the whole of the mercury may be 

 separated, sublimed, and weighed, and thus the amount of cor- 

 rosive sublimate present be estimated, as from its composition 

 every 100 grs. of mercury obtained, indicate that 135 grs. 

 of crystallized corrosive sublimate have been present. 



In September 1844, I had an opportunity of applying the 

 foregoing process for the detection of corrosive sublimate in 

 a case of attempted poisoning. 



An European servant in a family in Bombay perceived 

 something unusual in the taste of her tea, and found that a 

 silver spoon with which it had been stirred was turned almost 

 black wherever the tea had touched it. It being conjectured, 

 that some deleterious substance had been introduced into the 



* Christison on Poisons 3 4th Edit. p. 383. 



