252
Arsenical Poisoning in an Exhumed Carcase
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV,
usual size and the auricles and ventricles were empty. Blood vessels were normal. Lungs decomposed
and partly liquefied. Nothing unusual was noticed in trachea, larynx and glottis. Liver was
contracted and hardened with capsules intact; consistency was a little harder than normal and gall
bladder was empty. Spleen was highly decomposed and jelly-like, but retained its form and size
with its capsule intact. Kidneys were jelly-like and decomposed. Oesophagus was also decomposed.
The four compartments of the stomach were still intact and could be separately made out. Rumen
contained the usual amount of ingesta in an almost dried up state with the usual colour. The contents
of the other three compartments were drier than normal and decidedly darker. The inner lining of
the three compartments was black. Small intestines were contracted and tumified, almost empty
and mucus lining was darker than normal. Large intestines were also contracted and tumified
and contained hard dry dung. Nothing unusual was noticed in the lymphatic glands, bladder or
generative organs. Brain and spinal cord were liquefied and jelly-like.
It was, thus obvious, that the carcase was contracted and in mummified condition and the skin
and the hair were intact. There was absence of postmortem changes in the tongue which was normal
in colour and consistency. The liver was contracted and hardened and seemed to be in a fair state
of preservation. The condition of the heart and stomach and the intestines also signified that they
were contracted and tumified and not decomposed. There was absence of maggot formation.
Diagnosis
Arsenical poisoning was suspected. The contents of stomach, including that of the rumen and
bits of liver and intestines preserved in rectified spirit with a control sample of rectified spirit, were
sent to the Chemical Examiner, who detected arsenic in all the samples, except the control one.
DISCUSSION
As stated in the beginning, the cases of malicious arsenical poisoning of cattle have been fre-
quently met with, in the past in this country. The chief motive is the procurement of the skin,
though ill feelings, personal jealousies and quarrels among villagers often play a part. The crime
is invariably perpetrated by the Chamars or chucklers either on their own initiative or at the instiga-
tion of others. The other poisons used are mercury, and vegetable, but arsenic is the most commonly
used because of the smallness of its dose and the convenience of administration, and easy availability.
According to Hehir and Gribble [1929] there were 283 cases of arsenical poisoning out of the total
of 293, during the five years from 1885 to 1889.
Cases of exhumation are comparatively rare or even absent. In cases of human beings there
are quite a few records specially where the bodies have been buried either enclosed in a coffin or free.
In animals there are rare cases of burial or cremation, because of the usual practice of skinning the
carcase and discarding the remains. From a reference to the statistics available with the Chemical
Examiner to the Government of Madras from 1942 to 1946, 15 cattle and 23 human beings were
diagnozed against arsenical poisoning and except for one case in human beings no carcase was exhumed.
In passing, the preservative qualities of arsenic may be mentioned. Macfall [1925] has mentioned
in this connection that arsenic is an indestructible poison and may be found in the body after many
years ; in one case it was found after 14 years. Whitford [1884] records, that the body in one case
was found remarkably preserved for a period of 37½ months after internment. Jai Singh and P.
Modi [1945] state that the body of Full Ham of Agra was found to be well preserved when it was
exhumed 14 months after death, even though the grave was a kutcha one and the lid of the coffin
had already given way.
Apparently, in the carcase of the bull exhumed, it was the preservative effect of the arsenic
that had resulted in the prevention of putrefaction and preservation of some of the organs.
The appearances met with, in the different organs, are very varied and interesting , particularly
indicating the relation to their distribution of arsenic in the various tissues and body fluids. While
the skin with hairs, tongue, heart, liver and all the four compartments of the stomach and intestines
were in the state of fair preservation, the skeletal muscles, lungs, spleen, kidneys and brain had