1886, | The Post-Mortem Imbibition of Poisons. 107 
frequently contain this substance, notably those of zinc and sul- 
phuric acid; hence, it becomes necessary to test all reagents to 
determine that they are absolutely free from this poison. None 
but “chemically pure” reagents were employed, the sulphuric 
acid being found to be such after subjecting it to Marsh’s test. 
On the application of Reinsch’s test to the hydrochloric acid and 
copper foil, they also proved to be reliable. Summary of results 
obtained by chemical analysis of the organs removed from dog con- 
taining arsenic: The extracts obtained from the stomach, liver, 
kidneys, lungs, heart and drazz were subjected to Reinsch’s test, 
and from a// of these organs arsenic was recovered. In each case 
a sublimate was obtained on the side of the reduction tube, which, 
placed under the microscope, revealed the presence of arsenic by 
exhibiting many beautifully formed octohedral crystals. It should 
be remarked that the results obtained from the examination of 
these organs were about equally striking, with the exception of 
the brain, which gave somewhat less marked reactions. 
On examining the literature of the subject of the “ Post- 
mortem imbibition of poisons,” it will become apparent that it 
has not received the amount of attention it so justly deserves. 
Indeed, so far as the writer has been able to learn the only inves- 
tigations pertaining to the subject are those of Drs. Victor C. 
Vaughn, Kedzie and George McCracken. 
Dr. Vaughn in the first of his experiments (physician and sur- 
geon, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August, 1883), used a musk-rat, 
injecting into the mouth and rectum by means of a syringe fifty 
(50) grains of arsenious acid suspended in cold water. The rat 
was buried twenty-five (25) days, and the organs subjected to a 
chemical analysis, which revealed the presence of this poison in 
the kidneys, liver, lungs, stomach and contents, large intestine, 
small intestine, heart and brain. In his second experiment a 
cadaver was used, an unweighed quantity of arsenious oxide was 
introduced into the mouth and rectum, the body being then 
placed in a cellar for twenty-five (25) days. The brain was broken 
down, and in a semi-fluid condition, the rest of the organs firm. 
Chemical analysis revealed the poison in the right and left kid- _ 
ney, liver, lower lobe of right lung, heart, rectum, spleen, stomach] 
Dr. Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricultural College, working inde- ae 
pendently » made experiments on a cat with like results. In again a 
