402 
POISONING BY STRYCHNIA. 
portions, so as, with the aid of heat, to dissolve any strychnine 
which it might contain. The spirituous solution thus ob- 
tained was then filtered, and then gently evaporated in a 
porcelain vessel until it acquired the consistence of syrup. To 
this syrupy mass, which would contain any strychnine present 
in the stomach, we applied the various tests which are charac- 
teristic of that poison, namely : 
“ 1. The test of taste. Both the spirituous extract and the 
spirituous solution had decided the bitter taste of strychnine. 
This proof we think of almost equal importance with the 
direct chemical tests. 
“ 2. To a portion of the syrupy mass we applied a little 
pure nitric acid. This produced a red colour, showing the 
presence of strychnine in its ordinary state. 
66 3. To another portion we applied, first, a little acetic 
acid, and then a solution of chloride of gold. This produced 
a yellowish-white precipitate, showing also the presence of 
strychnine. 
“ 4. To another portion we applied, first, fine concentrated 
sulphuric acid, and then added a solution of bichromate of 
potash. The result was a purple colour, changing to red, 
again showing the presence of strychnine. This test was 
varied by using the bichromate of potash powder, instead of 
in solution. The result was essentially the same. 
t( Every test was applied by each of us separately, and was 
repeated many times, with such variations in the mode as 
would detect any error or fallacy which might have crept in. 
The same series of tests was at the same time applied to 
strychnine itself, for the purpose of comparison. 
“ During the whole of our investigation of the stomach and 
its contents, the apparatus used and our tests were kept in 
the laboratory under lock and key, so that no person but 
ourselves could obtain access to them. 
“ By this analysis we consider the fact proved that the 
stomach of Mrs. Dove contained strychnine in sufficient 
quantity to cause death. 
“ George Morley. 
“Thomas Nunneley.” 
The inquest having been adjourned, Mr. Nunneley was 
recalled, and at the opening of the proceedings read the fol- 
lowing Report. With what took place in the Court between 
the legal advisers we have, of course, nothing to do. 
“ Additional Report of the Analysis of the Contents of the 
Stomach . — As a further test of the presence of poison in the 
stomach, and one which as nearly as possible would amount 
