90 
MISCELLANEA. 
instituted an inquiry in order to ascertain whether either the cream of tartar or the mag¬ 
nesia contained arsenic. He was unable to discover that either contained poison ; the 
magnesia, bought at another place, was certainly quite pure, and the cream of tartar, 
which Mr. Potter had in his possession, was certainly also pure, as found on analysis of 
both. The presence of arsenic could not, when subjected to the test, be detected in 
samples of cream of tartar which were obtained from his premises, and it was sug¬ 
gested that probably the bottle which contained the mixture of cream of tartar and 
magnesia might previously have contained arsenic. The matter remained shrouded in 
mystery up to Saturday last. On Thursday two persons, Mrs. Simpson and her son, a 
young man residing in Croft Street, Bradford, were taken suddenly ill. Dr. Lodge was 
called in, and he found they were suffering from the same symptoms of arsenical poison¬ 
ing. They had both taken cream of tartar, and a portion of the ingredient was still 
preserved in the paper bought of Mr. Potter, and still labelled with his name. The cream 
of tartar was analysed by Dr. Lodge, and then by Dr. Brown and Dr. G-oyder respec¬ 
tively, and found to contain a large quantity of arsenic. In order to make the result 
complete and satisfactory, ten grains of the cream of tartar was given to Mr. F. M. Rim- 
mington, analytical chemist, and_ after an analysis, he reported that the cream of tartar 
contained arsenic to the extent of about 20 per cent. Further inquiry of Mr. Potter led to 
the discovery that on Tuesday, when Mr. Grauhan inquired, he had brought into use in 
his shop a new supply of cream of tartar, and that the cream of tartar sold on Saturday 
week to the family of Johnson, as well as to that of Simpson, belonged to a quantity 
(7 lbs.) which had been sold off on Tuesday. He was, of course, quite unconscious that 
it contained arsenic, and said that it must have been impregnated therewith when sent 
to him from the wholesale house from which he received it. We have been informed 
that the wholesale house alluded to deny that the mistake occurred with them. Mr. 
Grauhan, the chief constable, at once sent a telegram to the police authorities of the 
town whence the cream of tartar had been received by Mr. Potter, requesting them to 
visit the establishment, and seize any cream of tartar they might have in stock ; and also 
had printed a placard for distribution through the West Riding, warning the public against 
the use of any cream of tartar purchased at Mr. Potter’s since the 25th of April, the day 
on which the 7 lbs. of poisoned cream of tartar was received and offered for sale. Many 
persons were taken ill; but no fatal case has occurred. 
Deaths from Chloroform. —An inquest has been held by Dr. Lankester, at Pad¬ 
dington, on the body of Selina Augusta Lord, a domestic servant, who had gone to 
Mr. Goddard, surgeon, for the purpose of having chloroform administered previous to 
a surgical operation. The chloroform was administered by Dr. Staples, of Seymour 
Street, who stated that he had given it in numerous cases during many years, without 
a single fatal case. Forty minims, afterwards increased to sixty minims, were adminis¬ 
tered on a handkerchief, when the head was observed to fall on one side, and the 
breathing ceased suddenly. Deceased was a very nervous, hysterical woman. The co¬ 
roner observed that the chloroform appeared to have been administered with special 
care. Verdict: “ Accidental death from the mortal effects of a dose of chloroform.” 
An inquest has been held at King’s College Hospital, on John Lawrence, aged 
thirty-eight, who died from the effects of chloroform. Mr. Fergusson, surgeon, 
said he had performed an operation on the deceased in January last, when he used 
chloroform successfully. In the present instance it was administered in his pre¬ 
sence, by one of the pupils, with the utmost care and caution. He took it at first 
without any particular symptoms. Pie afterwards became a little incoherent, and was 
convulsed. He was then allowed to breathe a little fresh air. The chloroform was again 
administered, the convulsive action still continuing, when suddenly he ceased to breathe. 
The usual remedies to resuscitate him were used, but in vain. He never offered any 
objection to the chloroform in his presence. He was satisfied the chloroform was the 
same in quantity and strength, and used in the same way as on the former occasion. 
The jury returned a verdict, “That the deceased died from chloroform properly ad¬ 
ministered.” 
Another case has occurred at Westminster Hospital, where an inquest has been held 
by Mr. Bedford, coroner, on the body of Jesse Robert G. Haile, aged thirty, who died 
under the influence of chloroform; administered previous to the removal of one of his 
fingers, by Mr. Holt, the house-surgeon. It was some time before deceased was fairly 
under the influence of the chloroform, when suddenly the pulse ceased and the face 
became discoloured. Artificial respiration and galvanism were tried for a considerable 
