540 
POISONING BY CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. 
Here the jury had an opportunity of examining these powders, under the microscope, 
and were also shown some sublimate in a clean state, as it would, in all probability, be 
sold by a druggist. 
Examination continued:—“I have examined the powder marked 4 Corrosive Subli¬ 
mate.’ It is in my opinion exactly the same as that marked 4 Steedman’s Powder.’ I 
see no real difference in them; they are both soiled and stained alike, and contain 
similar fibrous particles. I have examined the two packets in the hands of the police¬ 
man. They both present the same appearance, and are precisely like those I received 
from the coroner. I received the powders from the coroner this morning, and tested 
them in his presence before bringing them here. By a juror: It was necessary to test 
them before bringing them here. I don’t think it probable corrosive sublimate would 
get solid in coming from a chemist’s shop. It is usually carefully wrapped up, sealed, 
and labelled. When I have had occasion to sell it, I have invariably sealed it. Chemists 
are generally very careful in the sale of it. The character of the extraneous matter is 
similar in both powders. I do not think there was any difference in the quality of the 
two powders. I am satisfied as to the identity of the dirt. I have had much experience 
in microscopic science during twenty-three years’ practice, both on my own account and 
that of professional men. It requires considerable practice in the study to avoid falla¬ 
cies. The particles of wool seemed to be broken up and ragged at the ends in both 
packets. There was no essential difference between the two.” 
The whole of the evidence that could be brought to bear on the case having been 
gone through, the learned coroner proceeded to sum up. He said, from the evidence 
adduced at the first inquest, he thought perhaps the child had died in a fit, and he 
laughed at the idea of its being stated that death was caused by taking Steedman’s 
Powders, having known them for a number of years, and the good effects they produced 
on children ; but when the powder was produced, he immediately discovered that it was 
poison, which was attested to by the medical gentlemen, and had been so again that 
day. From the evidence adduced, there was no doubt what had caused the child’s 
death. It had been proved by the mother, by Ham, a person present when the powder 
w'as given, by the servant-maid, and by the niece, that the child took a powder, and 
that it was dead in ten minutes ; and from the evidence of Mr. Cartner, the medical at¬ 
tendant, there was no doubt that the powder was a deadly poison—corrosive sublimate— 
from which the child died, and w r hich was administered by the little maid. Now the 
question arises, how did that powder get there ? That was a mystery. The evidence 
showed that the Wells druggist, Mr. Habgood, sent the packet of powders by Ann 
House to Mrs. Coles, and that it was delivered secure and unopened. Mrs. Coles broke 
the seal and opened 'the packet, and the first powder was given, which seemed to have 
been harmless and did good. But on the 8th of February, when the second powder 
was given, the child was dead in ten minutes. They had had before them a gentleman 
from London, representing a wholesale agent for these powders, as well as other patent 
medicines, who testified to their extensive sale and to their harmless and beneficial 
effects. There was the evidence of another gentleman from London—Mr. Faulconer, 
who had come forward most willingly, and by so doing was the means of saving him 
(the coroner) much trouble, and the county much expense, from whom we learn that 
from the nature of his arrangements it was impossible the poison could have been in¬ 
serted in his establishment; if so, there would have been death all over the country. 
From the evidence, then, of Mr. Habgood and the wholesale dealer, there appears to 
have been an impossibility for poison to have been introduced into the powders while 
in their possession. They must, therefore, be freed from any charge whatever, and, if 
the evidence of Mr. Faulconer was to be believed, he could not be held to blame. 
There was no doubt in his (the coroner’s) mind that a murder had been committed, 
by the substitution of corrosive sublimate for the real powder, and he could not rid his 
mind of the fact. He believed that some evil-disposed person towards the child had 
placed the poison there in the baby’s medicine-cupboard, not to kill Mr. or Mrs. Coles, 
but to destroy the child. 
The powders were purchased, and when delivered at that house they were sealed with 
the government stamp around them. How did this powder come there ? That mystery 
they could not unravel. Mr. Coles had told them of whom he purchased the mercury, 
and where he placed it—in the bureau—a portion of which the shepherd had. Now it 
appears the shepherd lost his piece through a hole in his pocket; and it is most re- 
