The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-22 00:00:00

THE SUB, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 22, 1865.

MISCELLANEOUS—Continued.
Fore-street Warehouse, lim., 84 9 84
Gen. Credit and Finance of London, tim., 8
Hudson's Bay, It 4
Humber Iron Woks, 6
International Financial Society, Urn., 64
London County Land and Building, !im., 1
Joint Stock Discount. Rm., 94
Overend, Gurney, and Co., Jim., 114
Peninsula and Oriental Steam, 76
Ditto, new, .34
Royal Mail Steam, 119
Smith, Knight, ant C0.,11m.,
Thames and Mersey Marine (Insurance), Um., 84
Trinidad Petroleum, lira., 5}

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

CHARGE OF OBTAINING GOODS BY FILSE PRETENCES.
—Thomas Edward Lovett, described as an agent, charged
with obtaining a quantity of furniture, of the • value of
£l6, from Mr. Nash, upholsterer, of Princes-street, Leices-
ter-square, by false pretences, was again brought before
Mr. Knox.

Mr. Davis, from the office of Mr. Howell, Cheapside, ap-
peared for the prosecution, and Mr. Fryer for the defence.

The case has three or four times been before the court,
and Mr. Knox now discharged the prisoner, stating that a
noticeable feature in the case was that there bad been no
attempt on the part of the prisoner after obtaining the
goods to dispose of them.
Mr. Fryer haVing intimated that there was a probability
of the prisoner bringing an action for false imprisonment
against Mr. Nash, Mr. Knox said he certainly would not
advise such a step to be taken, Mr. Nash having, he con-
sidered, good grounds for giving the prisoner into custody.

The Alleged Poisoning of a Young Lady
by her Loves
(Continued from the Sun of last Evening.)

SALISBURY, Thursday.

Dr. Taylor was sworn, and in answer to the coroner said
—That report (produced) contains a correct statement of
the result of the analysis of the stomach, the intestines, the
pills, the liver, and some blood which were delivered to me
by Mr. Collins, the clerk to the coroner, on the 7th of
September.
The report was as follows :--

"On Thursday, Sept. 7, 1865, I received from Mr. Col-
lins, at my house, N0..13, St. James's-terrace, Regent's-
park—first, a jar containing, as it '‘VaS allegad, portions of
the viscera of deceased; second, a small bottle; and, thirdly,
a box containing. pills. . . .

"1 re-sealed these articles with the exception of the box
of pills, 'which was already distinctly sealed with the im-
pression of a cock, and delivered them on the following
morning, Friday, Sept. 8, to my assistant, Mr. Richard
Prior, to be placed in a private room in the laboratory,
Guy's Hospital, until the result of an application to the
Secretary of State was known.

" On Monday evening, Sept. 11, I received an order from
the Secretary (Sir G. Grey) to make the requisite analysis
in this case.

"On Tuesday, Sept.:l2, I proceeded to examine these
articles in the chemical laboratory, Guy's Hospital. They
were re-delivered to me by Mr. Prior, my assistant, who
had kept them locked up in the interim. I then observed
that the seals were unbroken, and that the three packets
wore precisely in the same condition as when I delivered
them to Mr. Prior on Friday morning.
" TnE Box or PILLS.--This was contained in two
paper wrappers—the outer one of a pink colour, sealed with
the impression of a cock, and labelled in writing ink, 12
pills found in Miss Blake's drawer.' The inner paper wrap-
per was white, soiled, and marked with ink stains—nothing
legible. It had a broken seal, with a lion rampant. The
box itself was an ordinary white pill-box, but without any
address upon it, or any writing to indicate how the pills
were to be. taken. The pills in the box were 12 in num-
ber. The average weight of each was rather more than
four grains. They were of a brown colour, and had au
aromatic smell. They were soft, as if made with treacle or
syrup. Under the microscope they presented no unusual
appearance. No crystalline or mineralmatter could be per-
ceived in them. They containedawithor arsenic, antimony,
nor mercury; but they contained a large proportion of
sugar with vegetable matter, similar to the aromatic con-
fection of the Pharmacopreia.
" Three of the pills, weighing 12.6 grains, were sub-
mitted to the usual process for the detection of strychnia
and other alkaloids of the like nature. Strychnia was
separated from them in a crystallised state, and distinctly
identified by all its principal chemical properties. The de-
coction of the pills in water and spirit had the intensely
bitter taste of strychnia; this taste remained upon the
tongue for more than au hour.
"From the three pills a quantity of strychnia equivalent
to half a grain was separated. Assuming that the strychnia
was equally distributed among them, this would make a
proportion of one -sixth part of a grain for each pill. By
another chemical process the strychnia contained in the
half of another pill was extracted. This was found to be
equivalent to one-ten part of a grain, or representing one-
fifth part of a grain for each pill. (The strychnia was here
produced.) Considering that it is exceedingly difficult to
extract the whole of the strychnia contained in a pill under
such circumstances, it may be inferred that each pill would
not contain less than from one-sixth to oue-fifth of a grain,
and that three pills would therefore contain from three-
fifths to one-half of a grain. Three other pills, taken from
the other box, were made into an extract with spirit (for
dissolving the strychnia), and one-half of this extract was
placed within a wound made in the skin of a rabbit. In four
minutes the animal was seized with the usual tetanic con
vulsions which are produced by strychnia. These followed
each other in rapid succession, and the animal died in three
minutes, making altogether seven minutes from the time at
which the extract equivalent to one pill and a half was
placed beneath the skin.
" TILE BOTTLE OF BLOOD.—This was a green glass 4oz.
bottle sealed, seals unbroken. It contained 7 drachms, or
about a tablespoonful of blood of a dark crimson colour, not
putrid. It presented no unusual appearance under the mi-
croscope, and chemical analysis did not show in it the pre-
sence of any strychnine. The quantity here examined is
equivalent to only one 500th part of the blood contained in
the body of an adult.

" THE CONTENTS OF THE JAIL—The jar contained-1.
The stomach unopened and the two ends properly secured
by ligatures, so that none of the contents had escaped ; 2.
the large and small intestines ; 3. a portion of the liver ;
and 4. the spleen. These organs, it may be observed,
were healthy, and presented no appearance which would
account for death. They were remarkably free from
putrefaction. As to the stomach, on the outside of this
organ there was a deep patch of a red colour corresponding
to the situation of the spleen. When opened, the stomach
was found to contain about six ounces by measure of half-
digested food of a thick pasty consistence and of a sour
smell, as if it had undergone fermentation after death. No
pills could be seen in the contents, but the following sub-
stances were recognised and separated :—The pipes and
king as well He th.-pulref apples. French beans, the fibre
of meat, and a quantity of bread (starchy matter), as well
as fat. These were partially digested, showing that death
must have taken place suddenly, soon after a full meal had
been made. There was no odour of prussic acid, spirits, or
other poisonous volatile liquids. Tho contents were acid,
probably as a result of the fermentation of the food, The
inner surface of the stomach presented a few patches of
congestion, and it was slightly reddened, but there was no
appearance of disease to account for death. The whole of
the contents, with the mucus scraped from the inner sur-
face of the stomach, were submitted to the same chemical
processes as the pills for the detection of strychnia. The
result was that slight traces of the substance was detected
Tin
the ljpgdßortion of the contents. The,:intestines pre-
,selated nothing unusual, either internally or externally.
They were in some places reddened, apparently as the re-
sult of cadaveric congestion ; but ,on opening them they
contained the usual healthy substances derived from
digested food, and the lining membrane presented no ap-
pearance of disease. As to the liver and spleen, four ounces
of the liver and the whole of the spleen were minutely
examined for strychnia, but no trace of this poison was
detected in either organ,

" The conclusions which I draw from this analysis are—
" Firstly, That the pills contained strychnia in a quan-
tity sufficient to cause death according to the number
taken.

"Secondly, That there were traces of strychnia in the
contents of the stomach.

" Thirdly, That the;e were no strychnia in the liver,
spleen, and blood.

(Signed) "ALFRED SWAINE TAYLOR, M.D., F.R.S.,
Fellow of the College of Physicians,
and Professor of Medical Jurispru-
dence and Chemistry in Guy's Hos-
pital."

The Coroner—Assuming throe pills of a similar charac-
ter had been taken shortly before the death of the deceased,
and that they contained a similar amount of strychnia to
that which you examined, would you have expected to
find greater or more distinct traces of the strychnia, in the
stomach of the deceased ?

Professor Taylor—No, I should not ; the dose was very
small. The smallest quantity of strychnine that has been
known to destroy an adult is half a grain. I should state
that the longer a person lives after the strychnine has been
taken the less it can be discovered, as it becomes absorbed.
The Coroner—Would you have expected to find it in
the blood, or the liver, or the spleen ?
Professor Taylor—No, I should not. I have made a
calculation, and find that had the whole of the strTchnine
been there there would have been only 1-50th of the grain
to a pound of blood. The quantity was too small to ex-
pect to find it. The same answer applies to the liver and
spleen. Strychnine is given in cases of paralysis and
nervous affection, but the medical dose would commence
at the twentieth part of a grain, and be increased to a
twelfth, or oven tenth part of a grain. I may add that
symptoms of poisoning begin in doses of from half to a
third of a grain, and actual death has taken place in two
known instances from a quantity similar to that which is
before you now. The quantity of strychnine found in the
deceased is consistent with either a poisonous or a medici-
nal dose. From the traces found in the stomach I can
draw no inferences ; the residue was consistent with either,
as I have already stated, so that I can form no conclusion
as to the cause of death. Ido not consider that strychnine
would be a proper medicine for the purpose of procuring
abortion. I have never known it used for such a purpose,
and can conceive no otter effect from it than convulsions
resulting in death. The action of strychnine is over the
voluntary muscles, but I have never heard of it having
any action on the uterus. One pill would not destroy
life, two would jeopardise it, and three would be certain
to prove fatal to any one. It is possible that one pill
might contain more strychnine than the other, but
from the analysis I mule I take it that the strychnine in
them was pretty equally divided, and that any adult taking
three of them would die. There were no directions on the
box, and that is very improper in a medicine of that na-
give strychnine in pills ; it is
as it can be more accurately
autupsrpouea.lrltyilogtnievidseninnoittnhaut
solution,sform.
o

By Mr. Whatman—l have never personally known
strychnine to be given medicinally to correct feminine
used by Dr. Bardsley and
iothersrgulaLi
tthiesbe;nietfiht.as been

By the Coroner—The other portions of the pills were
made up of aromatic confection. 1 should say that no
medical man would venture to give the dose of strychnia 1
found in one pill for the purpose of correcting feminine
irregularities. Three of those pills I should say would act
in half an hour after they had been taken, as they were
composed of soft materials, and would soon break up in
the stomach and let the poison out. All poisons are more
or less slow of action, according to whether the stomach is
full or empty.

By the Jury—The pills were apparently made up by a
person thoroughly acquainted with medicine.

- - - ,
By Mr. Kelsey—Battle s 'vermin powder contains
strychnia to the extent of a grain and a half in the six-
penny packet. Strychnia has been given ;4 ktonic for in=

digestion or disorders of the stomach, but in very small
doses in all cases. Had the deceased taken one pill she
might have died, but in a recent case within my know-
ledge the same quantity produced in a man all the symp-
toms of poisoning to an alarming extent. Assuming that
I had not heard anything of the pills 1 should not have
considered that the strychnia I found would have been
sufficient to account for death.

By the Coroner—On the 19th of September I received
from Superintendent Caldow a white crystallised sub-
stance weighing 11 grains. It is strychnia.

The Coroner then read over the evidence of Mr. Coates
and Dr. Blaamore.

•Professor Taylor—Having heard that evidence, my opi-
nion is that the symptoms described are consistent with
poisoning by strychnia, and-not with any known disease,
and also such symPtoms as I should expect to arise from
taking three of those pills, and to be followed by death.

Mr. Blake was recalled and said—l have not had strych-
nine in my place for twelve months past.
By Mr. Kelsey—l kept in the surgery saccharated
cyanide of iron with strychnine in it, and any one could go
to it. I parted with Storer on apparently good terms, but I
did not invite him to come and see me if he was passing
through Salisbury.
Profes.3or Taylor, recalled by Mr. Whatman—Battle's
vermin killer contains flour coloured with soot or indigo,
which constitutes 58 parts out of 60 of it. If any person
wanted the strychnia out of it he must get it done by a
skilled hand.

Superintendent Caldow recalled, and proved that Storer
made a statement before the city magistrates, and that in
that statement he said he never had any strychnine in his
possession.

- Fanny Bevan, housemaid to Mr. Blake, proved that Miss
Blake called for a candle about half-past nine on the night
of her death and at once went up to bed. She had seen
the deceased all day, and she was quite cheerful the whole
day. Miss Blake did not appear to be distressed at Mr.
Storer's leaving. The box produced (the medicine chest)
witness recognised as Mr. Storer's. She had seen it in
his bed-room frequently ou the table under the bookshelf.
He took it away with him. Never heard him speak of it
as a medicine chest. It was about half-past eleven when
deceased screamed out. Had waited on her, but never saw
her take medicine. •.

Mrs. Blake also identified the medicine chest as Mr,
Storer's.

The Coroner then summed up at considerable length,
and directed the attention of the jury to certain facts. He
said there could be no doubt that Miss Blake had died
from an overdose of strychnine, and the statements of the
deceased showed that she had received the medicine from
Mr. Storer. If ho had administered it in ignorance, it
would be their duty to return a verdict of manslaughter,
but if the strychnine was maliciously given it would then
amount to wilful murder. He then referred to other
portions of the evidence, bearing upon the connection of
Storer with the strychnine and the pills, and pointed out
matters upon which they would have to find their verdict.
The jury retired at half-past five, and returned into
court with the following verdict : " We find that the de-
ceased, Emily Sophia Blake, died from the effects of
strychnine, taken by her in three pills, given to her by
William John Storer; and we find'a, verdict of manslaugh-
ter against the said William John Storer."
The Coroner then made out his warrant of committal of
the prisoner on the charge of manslaughter.
Although the crowd was very great in the court the best
order was preserved, which was entirely to be attributed
to the excellent arrangements made by Superintendent
Caldow.

SPORTING INTEL LIGENCE —This Day.

BETTING AT THE VICTORIA CLUB.

CESAREWITCH.
10 to 1 agst Privateer (taken) .
15 to 1 agst Nuneaton (taken)
16 to 1 agst Morris Dancer (taken)
30 to 1 agst Clown (taken)
33 to 1 agst Solon (offered)
33 to 1 agst Union Jack (offered)
33 to 1 agst Chimney Sweep (offered)
40 to 1 agst Merry Wife
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
25 to 1 agst Custard Castle (offered)
EASTERN COUNTIES HANDICAP.
100 to 6on the field

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.