Saturday 09 Aug 1845 (p. 2, col. 4 - p. 3, col. 2) Part 2 CUMBERLAND ASSIZES. ----- CROWN COURT.-(Before Mr. Baron ROLFE.) KIRKANDREWS POISONING CASE. [continued] Thomas ELLIOT-I am a surgeon residing in Carlisle. I remember making a post mortem examination of a body said to be that of Margaret GRAHAM, in Thomas NORMAN's barn. I was not acquainted with her, but it was pointed out by HIND. Describe the appearances on dissection- Witness-On examining the brain and its membranes, we found them perfectly healthy. Mr. WILKINS-I may state, my lord, that I do not dispute the cause of death. Witness-Contents of the chest healthy. We found the soft palate in a great measure wanting; the marks of inflammation extending along the whole of the gullet; a number of small shining transparent particles were lying in the mucus of the gullet, and one small crystal about the size of a raisin stone at the lower part of the gullet, indented into the lining membrane of the gullet, and adhering firmly to it, near to where it joins the stomach. Externally und internally, the end of the stomach adjoining the gullet was found of a deep red colour: the other extremity of the stomach presented the same appearance. The stomach contained a few spoonfuls of brownish liquid, which was preserved. Its lining membrane was covered with a tenacious, brownish mucus. At a short distance from the further extremity of the stomach we observed a small yellow spot about the size of a split pea; we also found a great number of small gritty particles in the mucus of the stomach; some yellow, others transparent. We found marks of inflammation here and there, along the whole course of the bowels, and a very great number of small gritty particles; some yellow, some translucent. We found them in the greatest quantities near the termination of the small intestines, and there we found the most decided marks of inflammation. There was nothing particular in any of the other organs of the abdomen. I may remark that the body was in a wonderful state of preservation, the brain alone presenting marks of putrefaction. I think that is all with respect to the appearances. By the JUDGE-The other medical men with me were Dr. JAMES, Dr. CARTMELL, and Dr. TINNISWOOD. We jointly conducted the post mortem examination and the subsequent chemical analysis. Witness-The first thing we analysed was the brownish liquid taken from the stomach. We found no traces of poison. We next examined the mucus of the stomach; we separated the gritty particles from it by washing it in distilled water; the particles sank to the bottom. The liquid was removed, and the deposit was then dried. A portion of it was heated with black flux in a small glass test tube, on heating which to a low red heat a metallic ring sublimed or rose in the tube, bright and shining externally, dull and granular internally. The next experiments were conducted upon the stomach itself, which was cut into pieces, and boiled with distilled water, and hydro-chloric or muriatic acid. Small bundles of fine clean copper wire were successively introduced and boiled in the liquid. On removing these they were found coated with a metallic coating of an iron grey colour. The bundles of wire were then carefully dried, and one of them, cut into pieces, was introduced into a small glass tube, which was slowly heated, when a white cloud rose in the tube, and settled down in the form of a ring of small transparent crystals. Examined under a microscope these crystals were observed to be octohedral, with equilateral triangular facets. The next experiments were conducted upon the bowels, a portion of which, cut into pieces, was washed in distilled water, and the sediment formed, when dried, was submitted to the same process described as that of the mucus of the stomach, and with the same result, namely, the formation of a metallic ring. The portion containing this ring was filed off, put into another glass tube, and heated in it. A number of crystals sublimed in the tube. A little distilled water was then introduced into the tube, and boiled until the crystals were dissolved. This liquid was then divided into three parts. To the first of these a solution of nitrate of silver was added, and a beautiful yellow precipitate was the immediate result. To the second, a solution of ammoniaco-sulphate of copper was added, and a grass green precipitate was the result. Through the third portion a few bubbles of sulphuretted hydrogen gas were passed, when a beautiful yellow precipitate was formed. We removed the small yellow spot which we found on the stomach, and applied a few drops of strong ammonia to it. This had the effect of immediately dissolving it. On adding a little muriatic acid to this a yellow precipitate took place. Those were the whole of the experiments conducted on the body. The JUDGE-I have taken down every thing you have said. I would ask you whether, before the analysis was made, the appearance of the intestines was such as would occur in a person who died from arsenic?-It was, my Lord. By the JUDGE-The experiments were such as to leave no doubt that the substance found in the stomach was arsenic?-Not any. By Mr. LAWRIE-I have formed the opinion that the form in which the poison was taken was that of white arsenic or arsenious acid, because a portion only of it was found converted into orpiment by the action of sulphuretted hydrogen which exists in the bowels. Had yellow arsenic been taken that would not have been the result. A yellow stain is a general characteristic of arsenic. With regard to the quantity, the arsenic in the mucus of the stomach, in the stomach itself, and that from the intestines was nearly 42 grains. It was precipitated by passing a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen through it. The liquid was then filtered, and the precipitate, together with the filtre were then dissolved in ammonia, and this liquid was again filtered. The precipitate left upon this filter was carefully dried and weighed. It weighed fifty-two grains and was the sesqui-sulphuret of arsenic, or orpiment, which is equal to 41 grains and three-tenths of white arsenic, or arsenious acid. I am of opinion that that quantity was much more than sufficient to cause death. Four grains and a half have been known to cause death. By Mr. WILKINS- Arsenic is not very soluble?-No, not very. Would it not be possible to put a quantity of arsenic in tea or water, and the water or tea be drunk with impunity?-It might be possible, provided the crystals put in were of sufficient size. Supposing a parcel about the size of a quarter of a pound of coffee, containing a large quantity of arsenic, were burnt, would you expect there would be a strong smell from that?-I would. A smell of garlic?-Yes, a garlic odour, provided it was converted into metal which it might be by being thrown upon red hot coals. Mr. WILKINS-That is all I ask you. Mr. LAWRIE-Shall I call the other medical men to corroborate? The JUDGE-It is not necessary. Mr. WILKINS-I never heard a more creditable medical witness in my life. Mary HIND, who was examined by Mr. TEMPLE, through her brother, said-I am the sister of Margaret GRAHAM, and remember her death. She died on Wednesday, the 27th of November, at seven o'clock in the evening. She had been in good health before that, for a few months, but not very well for a few weeks before. I saw her on the Sunday morning before her death, and she said she was much better. I saw her that day in John GRAHAM's, her own house. She came up to our house that morning and staid about an hour. I live with my father in the same village, Kirkandrews-upon Eden. I saw her next after that on Monday morning, about nine o'clock, I think. She was then very ill, in bed, and said she had been very ill all night. She complained of a very great heat and pain in her breast. She was purged, and vomited. I remained with her that morning till past eleven o'clock. John GRAHAM was at home during that time, sometimes in her bed room, and sometimes walking about. Mrs. GRAHAM was very thirsty and asked me to make her some whey. I got both the milk and ale for it, and she drank it, and vomited it up again. She asked for some gin and water, and John GRAHAM gave her it. I went home and returned afterwards. He sent for the doctor at eight o'clock. When I returned at two o'clock, Mr. SEWELL, surgeon, had come. Mrs. GRAHAM was rather easier, and he gave her something amongst brandy. I left about three o'clock, and returned between five and six. I left her for the night about eight o'clock; she was easier then. The purging had abated, and the vomiting had ceased. I saw her next at eight o'clock morning, on the Tuesday; she was in bed. Nobody was in the room with her when I first went in. She had been easier through the night, and said she had had some sleep. Her thirst still continued. I went home, and told my father and mother how she was, and came back again-I returned about nine o'clock. About ten o'clock John GRAHAM made her some sago; it is what is called panada. John prepared it; he boiled it. I was in the kitchen when it was on the fire, and remarked to him that it was too thick. I was near him while it was on the fire. When he took it off he asked Betsy ROBINSON, his servant, if it would do. I had my back to him then. His servant, ROBINSON, is also called Elizabeth GRAHAM. I was in the kitchen. I was in the kitchen all the time it was boiling, and do not know what he put into it after he took it off the fire. I do not know what he might have put in before: I was in the kitchen. We gave it to Mrs. GRAHAM. I did not see her partake of it. I did not see her take anything else that morning. About an hour after she took it she was taken very ill; she was held the same as the day before, but much severer; both vomiting and purging worse. Her thirst was very great, she said no one could tell what she suffered that day from pain and burning heat in her stomach and chest. Cold sweat was upon her brow, and her hands were very cold. She did not see well that day, but made no complaint of her sight. She complained much of pain in her head. Dr. SEWELL and John GRAHAM's mother came after eleven o'clock. John GRAHAM was present. Dr. SEWELL proposed to send for Dr. OLIVER, and John GRAHAM went himself for him about an hour after. Dr. OLIVER came about two o'clock, and he had a consultation with Mr. SEWELL, who then left. Dr. OLIVER gave her something amongst brandy, and she vomited it up again. He ordered her a mustard plaster for her breast and bowels. John's mother and I applied it. In the evening we had her up a little: she seemed very weak, and trembled all over. After I got her put to bed again,-about six o'clock,-the prisoner said I and John's mother had to go and he would lie down beside her. We then went to a neighbour's house for a little while. When we returned we saw her again; she was easier, John still lying on the bed beside her. Benjamin MITCHELL, the elder, had gone to Carlisle to tell Dr. OLIVER not to come. He was one of John's servants, and was sent by the prisoner. He had sent him before we came. Dr. OLIVER came about ten in the evening, and John seemed very much displeased. Dr. OLIVER gave her something more amongst brandy and she vomited it up again. He ordered a little panada for her: Betsey ROBINSON made it and my sister took it. It remained on her stomach while I was there, and I was there for half an hour after she took it. Mrs. CANNELL is a sister of John GRAHAM's. She called that night; Joseph told me so. Dr. OLIVER said Mrs. GRAHAM was to be strictly watched and was to have nourishment during the night. By Mr. WILKINS-John GRAHAM was present. Witness-It was proposed in his presence that John GRAHAM's servant, Elizabeth, and his father's servant, Mary BECKTON, should sit up with Mrs. GRAHAM. John did not say anything about this while Dr. OLIVER was there; but as soon as he went away he refused; and my brother Joseph and he got to high words about it. My brother Joseph wanted them to sit up and John would not let them. When John refused he said he would wait on her himself as well as any woman they could get. I went home about eleven o'clock and returned next morning (Wednesday,) at eight. She was easier, but much weaker. I did make some beef tea that morning and gave her it. She was very low that day, and took no notice of anything. She saw less and did not hear so well. She died about seven o'clock that evening. By Mr. WILKINS.- How long have you been so dull of hearing as you are now?-About twenty years. Is the prisoner also deaf?-A little. Was your sister not frequently retching at the stomach previous to this illness?- Sometimes, but not frequently. Did not several members of your family visit her during her illness?-Yes they were in sometimes: John did not look pleased when any one was there. Was there not some coolness between the familes [sic] for some time previous?-Yes. When you made the whey, did not John request you to take the curd off?- Yes, in a very angry way. When you offered to do anything for your sister did she not say John would do it?-She always said John would do it, and seemed to have a great fear of him. During her illness did John frequently lie down beside her on the bed?-Very often. Did the illness not begin about three weeks before, with a cold?-Yes, she was twice disappointed in coming to the market with butter. Did not the illness begin with a cold three weeks before?-She did not complain of it, but she thought she had got some cold. The JUDGE-Did she get pretty well of that cold?-She was never so well after. How was she on the Sunday morning before she died?-She was much better, was going about, and was doing part of the household work. [to be continued]