The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-24 00:00:00

THE RUGELEY POISONING

CASES.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.

AITINATION OF PROFESSOR TAYLOR

(FROM ova OWN REPORTER.)

RUGELEY, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
This morning, at ten o'clock, the inquest upon the body
.;' air. Walter Palmer, which had been further adjourned
,rona yesterday week, after hearing two day's evidence,
Was resumed. The jury had requested the re-attendance
Of Professor Taylor and other witnesses, and also desired
that Mr. Pratt, solicitor, of Mayfair, London, should be
examined in reference to the insurance transactions in
Which he had been engaged along with William Palmer.
Mr. Deane, solicitor, of London,
again attended on behalf
ofthe insurance companies, and Mr. Smith, solicitor, of
Birmingham, on behalf of William Palmer. Mr. Pratt
$ was also present, along with Mr. C. Vallencey Lewis, soli-
watchr of 48, Bedford Row, London, aeared to
the proceedings for Mr. Pratt. Professors Taylor
and Rees, Dr. Knight and Dr. Day of Stafford, and Mr.
Thurlby, Wtn. Palmer's assistant, were also in attendance,
in addition to Captain Hatton, superintendent of the
county police, &c. &c.
Before the proceedings commenced, Mr. Deane said,
that immediately on the inquest being adjourned, accom-
panied by the request that Professor Taylor should be re-
called, the Rome-office at once directed that Professors
Taylor and Rees should attend the adjourned inquiry. Now,
as Dr. Rees was not present when the medical evidence and
the evidence of the other parties who were present when
the deceased died, was given, he wished that that evidence
should be read over before the further additional evidence
was taken.
The Coroner, before-proceeding to read the evidence,
said : Gentlemen, during the past week, remarks have
appeared in the provincial and metropolitan press reflect-
ing on myself, the jury, the town of Rugeley and its inha-
!lonebitants, which are wholly unjustifiable and untrue, and r
they have not emanated from any one now present-
"' may also say that with regard to the remarks made
1„1113‘;r1 myself, I shall on a future occasion, so soon as this
teVidry is concluded, be quite ready to give a full explana-
Of, in. y conduct in the matter, which has been made
e 8110.leet of animadversion. (Cheers in court.)
eezT..ehr.aelevidence given by the different medical men and
other witnesses at the former hearing, was read
P°" by the coroner. The reading of this evidence occu-
Ivied a considerable time. On the evidence of George
hYman being called for
r. Smith objected to this witness's evidence being read,
and
More especially as he was not present.'
c__Mr. Deane said he would be present. He would arrive
from IVolverhampton at half-past twelve o'clock.
rrideAir. Smith would at once state why he objected to the
nce being read. As far as his instructions went, and
he tnight say so far as his belief went, the whole of Why-
Man's statement was a fabrication from beginning to end,
Sod, therefore, he objected to its being read.
P Hit was ultimately agreed that the evidence should be
reed when the witness made his appearance. The further i
reading of the evidence was then proceeded with, and at 1
its close,
Mr. Deane requested that certain extracts from the 1
diary of William Palmer might be read, upon which,
Mr. Smith rose and said —He desired to have the whole
of the diary read, because he intended to ask for a copy
of it, and therefore he wished to have it in evidence. It
might be long and tedious, but he was aware that the
police authorities had taken a copy of it, and he (Mr.
Smith), must therefore take such a course as would enable
him to be placed in the same position. He was entitled to
it as a matter of law, and he therefore insisted upon the
coroner taking such a course as would enable him to
secure a copy of it.
On an assurance frorahe coroner that a copy of the
diary should be furnished to Mr. Smith, the latter was
, satisfied, and the reading of the extracts having been.
waved by Mr. Deane, the additional evidence pro-
ceeded.
Mr. Benjamin Thu_rlby, assistant to William Palmer,
was then called by Mr. Deane. lie said: 1 remember the
day on which Walter Palmer died. I remember Ludlow
race-day. William Palmer told me that he had a horse
running that day at Ludlow. It was
Thursday,
aneday Walter Palmer died. on the
w. Campbell, of Stoke-upon-Trent, was examined I
the deceased Walter Palmer. Prom June 1853, to
June 1854, I was his medical attendant. In 1853, he had
an attack of pleura monia, and was suffering from chronic
inflammation of the liver, and had also an attack of con-
Jestion of the brain. The illness continued six or eight
Weeks. I saw him again in 1854, from January to March.
We
was then suffering from enlargement of the liver, and
irritability of the'; stomach. He also vomited a large
quantity of blood, and the right lobe of his liver was on a
line with the navel—it was so enormously enlarged. His
lower limbs were dropsical; at that time he had also
inflammation of the right kidney, which continued for two
;tenths. I did not attend him again after. I never saw
his brother William at the time.
of I3Y the Coroner: After his last illness, Walter thought
Ins' •
lifsiourr
Insuranclife,e bin,. I said that no medical man should pass I
wssa'eL.was so organically diseased. I told him his life
"If% hazardous one. I knew his habits were
texneeecLieglY intemperate.
5,7 4'.._,1 r• Deane : He was a mass of organic disease.
be''l. tkane: Is there anything inconsistent with his
erni,ng,i,,i_3l a state of organic disease in 1854, and dying
-11 the
effects of prussic acid in 1855 ? .
Witnes s : My belief is that he died from apoplexy.
,‘,"y the Corner : I have heard the former evidence read:
ere is nothing in it inconsistent with death having been
caus
ol Caused
by prussic acid or a narcotic, either opium or
alcoh
1
ti 1337 Mr• Smith : Disease of the kidneys impedes circula-
_ on, and deranges the whole system. It produces disease
in other organs.. kidneys the b 111 an advanced state of disease of the
ram Is most likely to be affected. Disease
of the liver would also affect the brain. The symptoms I
L•Phave heard described are more consistent with death from
coPlexY than prussic acid. Sterterous breathing is
inconsistent Mwith poisoning b
according
to the dose that has been given. It would be
an exceptional case for death to ensue within fifteen
minutes from an attack of apoplexy, the result of disease.
11. Y Mr. Smith : I think that death would follow very
soon after an attack of apoplexy. followed by drinking
two or three pints of spirits, especially in Mr. Walter.
Painier's case, for I knew he was subject to congestion of
the brain,
. By the Coroner; I never considered the deceased
Inotithy from 1852. In that year I saw him, and he had
every,appearance of labouring under disease of the liver.
During the attack of pneumonia he appeared to be
ratnbliug in his conversation.
4 Professor Taylor recalled: 'raking the average of cases
as apoplectic tit caused by effusion of blood on the brain.
Which is the most usual, would last two or three hours. I
have
_known one death in an eases of death there is hour.- .In. the sudden
generally disease of the
heart associated with effusion of blood. The toms, of of which I have taken a note, are these—
Avidity of the faee, as described by some of the witnesses ;
dilation of the pupils, the eyes open and fixed, as spoken
to by Mrs. Phillips ; general relaxation of the limbs and
Atuscles of the body; sterterous breathing; coldness of the
akin, with clammy perspiration. and twitching of the
Muscles on the side of the face. Those are all the symp-
toms I have' been able to note down from the evidence I
have h
acid, heard. They are all quite consistent with poison by prussic and with death from prussic acid in half an
nour after its being administered.
ay Mr. Deane: Brandy in prussic acid causes the
odour. to a great extent, to be removed, and prevent its
detection.
13y a Juror : There would be no pain in the patient,
as a state of coma dispels all sensation. Death from
Prussic acid is a rapid sort of apoplexy.
Professor Taylor produced two bottles, each containing
trossa table spoonful of brandy, one including a fatal dose of
ic acid, and the other ere examined
`4°AY the jnry, with a view to detect in whichwas the larger
,B,e, but the test failed.
L -15,Y Mr. Deane : The power to detect prussic acid in
lurandy by the smell would depend upon the proportion
of each, and whether or not attention was directed to
the subject. I have frequently not been able to detect
it in medicinal mixtures by the smell, when I have
detected it by analysis. I never heard that stertorous
breathing Preceded an attack of - coma. A man is not ina state of apoplexy until he is in
a state of coma. Sterterous breathing is certainly
not inconsistent with Poisoning by prussic acid. It is the
result of ennpstion on the brain,,and is consistent with
every state in whin!' ioines is
ease of coma may lead -to st
porduced, that is to say, every
-........„-wo
not, and there have been some Casesu, breathing.ofe
apoplexy without
sterterous breathing,
Mr. Deane then attempted to found a question to Ilea)
fessor Taylor, upon an extract. from
_ae work Journal
w of s
.f leaved)not
oar
science, but Mr. Smith objected, as th .
of authority. The examination was tnen continued as
follows ;
„ By Mr. Deane: Are you in a position to give an opinion
'ear, as to the cause of death ?
Professor
this Taylor:. AS to apoplexy, from disease, there
Is not case any clear roof.
additional evidence, the case resolvpes itselfl3muedifc
apoplexy, as the result of excessive drinking,
t r medically
t°
as the result of poisoning by
prussic acid. °DuarPiu°gPi 41Ye
evidence I have taken notes of the following points. The
evidence of Mr. Walkerdin and Dr. Campbell, on the
very large quantities of alcohol or alcoholic liquors taken
1 the deceased; the absence of any evidence that he
ardotook Prussic acid, (as far as I am aware), and which, in
r to have killed him, he must have taken within half
hs‘a hour of his death. Then sir, a third point I have
-Larked down, which we rather rely upon medically, the
absence of any Poison in the body, when examined. On
that Point I wish to make one observation. I once
'4(l intestine the
sopportunity of seeing the contents of the
of a man who had died from
the effects of a'dose of three drachms of prussic acid. That
IN seven t
timesn the quantity :that will destroy life.
2are4 fnd ha r twelve ys I could n, b y the most
ou
ful dissection, detectda the remotest trace of prussic
'",te'd• This is owing to two causes. The loss of prussic
geld is owins, first, to its great volatility and: diffusion ;
wani?lisPtemial37, when the animal matter putrifies in contact
' , so alto produce hydro-sulphate of ammonia, the
poison is chemically destroyed. I should not expect to
Pad any trace of prussic acid after three months' burial
latx_.l close coffin. If this were a question of poisoning by
~,I2t_lalocY, arsenic, or mercury, the non-discovery of
Poison would be adverse to the belief that the person died
°f Poison, but in the case of prussic acid, after the long
period, we ean never expect to foul it. Therefore, the

non-discovery of it in Walter Palmer's body is not in any
way inconsistent with his death from prussic acid. The
symptoms that I have stated are consistent with apoplexy,
as the result of prussic acid, or as the result of excessive
drinking; and there is this great peculiarity in the case,
that assuming prussic acid to have been taken, the ordin-
ary symptoms may have been somewhat modified by the
drinking habits of the deceased. The sterterous breathing
which is generally attendant on poisoning by alcohol
may have been in this case partly dependent on the
amount of alcoholic liquor taken by the deceased. Rest-
ing upon medical data, it is impossible to say, from the
evidencejwhether he died from prussic acid, or from apo-
plexy as,the results of excessive drinking. I am giving my
opinion now from medical grounds alone. The only abso-
lute solution of the question would have been the exami-
nation of the head and stomach, within two or three days
after death. A very rapid death like his within half an
hour, is, according to my experience, very rare, unless
accompanied with the apoplexy, there be disease of
the heart. In poisoning by prussic acid the almost uni-
versal rule is, that death takes place within half an hour,
or the patient recovers. Wherever there is disease in the
body it acts more rapidly. That is, I believe, sir, alt I

have to say
By Mr. Deane There might be effusion on the brain
caused by congestion. It is probable that there might be
effusion of blood. Supposing there had been effusion of
blood in this case, there might have been pon mortem
traces.
By Mr. Smith : I have stated that I 'could not give an
opinion as to the cause of death. We examined the heart
very closely, for Dr. Rees and myself desired to see if
there was anything in the heart to account for death. It
was sound enough. All the valves were sound, and I
certainly can take upon me to state that there was
nothing in the state of the heart to account for death.
There , was no thickening of the left ventricle. I
state my opinion that at the time of death
there was no disease of the heart. Supposing the
circumstances had been related to me, the suggestion of
poison would not have entered into my mind: I should
have said apoplexy, but whether from poison or disease, I
could not:say. It, there was no change about the body
to account for death, the suggestion would have come as
to poison. The fact of throwing off the blood from the
stomach is indicative of a conjestive state of the brain,
and diseased state of the liver. Ido not think that
apoplexy would result from diseased liver and
kidneys. The evidence given now is the same as before,
that death resulted from apoplexy, caused by excessive
drinking, unless there was something administered to him
within half an how. of his death.
By a Juror: I should have expected that Walter
Palmer's apoplexy would have lasted about two or three
hours.

By Mr. Smith: I am not aware of any case of rapid
death by apoplexy, where there has not been disease of
the heart.
Professor Rees 'was then re-called, and examined : I
assisted Dr. Taylor in making the analysis, referred to him
in the case of Walter Palmer. The cause of death was
either apoplexy, arising from natural disease, or the ad-
ministering of prussic acid. We were unable to trace
prussic acid, but, even if it had been present at the time of
death, three monhta' interment would have been sufficient to
have produced evaporation.
By Mr. Deane : The symptoms found might have resulted
from drunkenness or not. We could not discover disease in
the heart. The cavities were examined very carefully, and
we could detect no disease in the heart. The kidneys ap-
peared to be somewhat congested, as also the other organs.
The liver had evidently been diseased during life, as it was
enlarged, and its edges thickened. In my opinion, the
duration of a fit of apoplexy, caused by internal disease, or
by excessive drinking, would last from four hours to four
hours and a half. When there is no disease of the heart,
four hours would be a quick time for death to ensue. Such
causes of death as that of Walter Palmer have been re-
corded, but they have been extremely rare.
Mr. Day, surgeon, of Stafford, was here recalled, and
was about to give his evidence, when
Mr. Bergen, the superintendent of the Rugeley police,
came forward and stated that he had a private communica-
tion which he wished to make to the coroner.
Mr. Smith here rose and demanded to know in what
capacity Mr. Bergen was acting, and contended that his
interference now was highly improper.
In reply to Mr. Smith, Mr. Bergen refused to communi-
cate to him the information he had to give, and he then
approached the coroner, and stated to him that he had
ascertained that Mr. Day, who had already given evidence
to the effect that the deceased died from apoplexy, the
result of excessive drinking, had stated to Mr. Shaw, of
Stafford, that he believed the deoeased, Walter Palmer, was
poisoned. (Sensation.)
Mr. Smith, mnch excited, here denounced the conduct of
Mr. Bergen as unconstitutional, disgraceful, and disgusting.
Mr. Day denied making use of the statement just made
by Mr. Bergen, and wished to explain. Ile then said---I
never said that I believe Walter Palmer was poisoned. You
will please to emphasise the word " believe." But I m
have said, and I believe I have said, in conversation with Mr. Shaw, of Stafford, Mr. Deane, Captain HattPn,
and even Mr. Smith, that I thought if he
(William Palmer) had done the other two cases
it was not impossible that he might have done it for his
brother also. I will draw your attention to the difference
between what I might have believed, and what I might have
thought. To believe is a conviction founded on evidence
amounting to belief. But to think is an imagination of the
mind that may be reversed.
Mr. Smith : Is this rubbish to be placed ;upon the pro..
ceedings? Mr. Bergen has no right to come and make such
statements.

Mr. Bergen : I have a right, and I have made the state-
ment in the exercise of my duty.
Mr. Smith (still much excited): Sir, I do not wish either
to prolong this enquiry, or unnecessarily to take up the time
of the court, but I do say that for the sake of all of us—for
the sake of the public, present and absent—l must protest
-t the course that has just been adopted. I say it
you, sir, to the jury, and to all those who
are now present, but at the same time I say it firmly, Or
what we have now witnessed is scandalous. I sa,
most disnusting exhibition, to pick up mere hearsay ev
deuce. in order to prejudice a man who will be present!,
on his trial on two of the gravest charges. I sa:
that if the mere scandal and gossip that exist
in the locality is to be picked by a policeman
and publicly brought forward in a case like this
it is dishonest on his part as a police officer—
disgusting as a man, and it is unconstitutional the pre-
sence of a judge. (Loud cheers in court.) You, sir, ought
to protect the office you hold, rather than allow yourself to
be dictated to by men who are evidently prejudiced, and
ready to believe every piece of scandal they hear.
The Coroner: I am not aware that I allowed myself to
be dictated to.
Mr. Smith : I repeat that it is most unconstitutional that
the palladium of our liberty should be sacrificed to the
mere prejudices of a policeman.
Mr. Bergen : 1 hare only done my duty.
Mr. Smith : You have far outstepped it, sir, but I will
make you know your duty before I have done with this

again
with respect

it is a

The Coroner : Proceed with the evidence.
George Whyman, the chemist's apprentice, of Wolver-
hampton, was next re-called, and produced his employer's
books. He said that he was now certain as to the day when
William Palmer purchased the prussic acid from him in his
employer's shop. It was on the 14th August last.
Mr. Smith then proceeded to cross-examine the witness
at considerable length; but before doing so, he cautioned
him as to what he said, as he (Mr. Smith) was in a position
absolutely to prove what he had stated was not correct.
Mr. Deane remarked that it was unfair to intimidate the
witness.
Mr. Smith replied that he did not wish to intimidate him,
but he had proof that there was a mistake.
The witness was then subjected to a lengthy and severe
cross-examination at the close of which Mr. Smith im-
puted perpiry to the witness, and said he knew his remedy,
and should have the witness tried by a jury of his country. Mr. Weaver, of the firm of Maunder and Weaver, Wol-
verhampton, one of the employers of the last witness, said
they had never had William Palmer in their books. If any
one had said he had an account with them, it was false. At
the time of Cook's case, the last witness told him that he
sold an ounce of prussic acid to Pa'mer.
After the examination of three other unimportant wit-
nesses,
Mr. Pratt, solicitor, of Mayfair, London, was shortly
examined in reference to his insurance transactions with
Palmer. He said he should be a loser of £4,000 by Palmer,
on the policies he (witness) held. The examination had not
proceeded far, when the jury said that they did not think he
was at all implicated.
%The Coroner then summed up the evidence at great
length, after which the jury retired, and after an absence
of two hours and a quarter, re-entered the court amidst
the most profound silence.
The coroner : Gentlemen, are you agreed in your
hhect?oreman: We
verdict?
Are are not.
The Coroner :
Twethte majority agreed?
The Foreman:
whanty-two are agreed to a verdict.
The Coroner:
do vou find to be the cause of
the death of Walter Palmer
The Foreman: WE FIND TH AT
MER DIED F/30M THE EFFECTWALTER PAL_
OF P ACID, AND THAT SUCH PRUSSIC ACID WAS
WILFULLY ADMINISTERED BY
append to our verdict
manner in Whici-
of WM. PALMER.
tehealso
Thomas
our hstrong
e edmi
saanp
pa dr
od
ve
ad :
Walkerdin gave his evidence.
The Coroner: That, I take it, is a verdict of Wilful
Murder.
The Foreman: Yes it is. The jury at the same time
wish it to be understood that ,they think great credit is
due to the chief constable and the conqabulary, ',for
bringing these cases before us, although they are pain-
ful enquiries to us all. We think application
should be:made in the proper quarter for some recompense
to be made to Mr. Willis (of the Talbot Inn) for the mis-
chief done to the business of his house by the body being
taken there.
The proceedings then terminated about nine o'clock

-----
The Medical Times and Gazette publishes a memoir of
the accused William Palmer, from which we cull the
following extracts :
It appears that William Palmer is a member of
a very wealthy family, and is now in his thirty.