572 
MEDICO-LEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS ON ARSENIC. 
It is evident that the various tests given in this section 
may be made from the deposits produced in Marsh’s and 
Fresenius’ and Babo’s apparatus. 
'Which and how many of the tests enumerated are to be 
made, must depend upon the quantity of arsenic found. In 
most cases, as has been said if discovered, there is sufficient 
present, with careful manipulation, to make them all. 
7. Preservation of the Tests .—It is considered of importance 
by medical jurists that specimens of the poison obtained in 
the course of the examination of a medico-legal case be pre¬ 
served, that they may be shown to the court if a trial occurs. 
In certain cases, as in those where metallic poisons have been 
discovered, this may readily be done. I have been in the 
habit, for a considerable time, in such cases, especially where 
arsenic has been found to be the toxical agent, to attach the 
slips of porcelain and the glass tubes containing the various 
tests to a sheet of cardboard, and inserting this in a frame 
(protected by a plate of glass). 
In the upper part is mentioned the name of the party sub¬ 
mitted to toxical examination; immediately below, the age 
and date of death, and the date of the commencement and 
completion of the examination; below these, in the centre, 
are placed the specimens; upon the right, opposite each, are 
stated the nature of the substances exhibited; upon the left 
are the names of parts or of the materials found to contain 
the poison, indicating by letters the specimens obtained from 
each. 
By this arrangement the various results are placed in a 
secure and permanent form which may readily be inspeeted. 
The collection itself gives, at a glance, an epitome of the 
chemical examination. 
As regards the modes of preserving the specimens, it may 
simply be said that the tubes containing the mirrors from 
Marsh’s and Fresenius’ and Babo’s apparatus are drawn out 
to a point at either end, and sealed by a blowpipe, the 
deposits being in the centre; the same with the other solid 
tests. The liquid tests may be formed in tubes of the 
proper form by the successive introduction of the proper re¬ 
agents, or they may be placed there after being formed in 
another vessel by simply heating such a tube and imme¬ 
diately immersing its open end into the liquid containing the 
precipitate, leaving it there till it cools ; a portion of the 
precipitate and liquid will rise in it, when the open end is to 
be sealed. The tubes are then to be attached by wires or 
cords to the cardboard, and the proper names attached as 
already mentioned. 
