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

COLONIAL.

SUGAR.—A large business has been done in West India
descriptions, and the late advance in prices has been fully
zuaintained. In the refined market common lumps are
quoted 43s to 43s Gd. per cwt.

COFFEE.—The operations have been to a fair average
extent, and superior descriptions of Plantation Ceylon
command high rates ; in other qualities there is no mate.

rial change.

RICE. Business has been very quiet owing to the small
quantity on offer; holders, however, do not press sales,
and quotations are steady.

SALTrrritE.—The market continues dull ; a small quan-
tity of foreign refined, however, has been sold at 21s. per
cwt.

TALIOOIV.—A better tone has prevailed during the last
few days, and prices are steady. P.Y.C. on the spot is
quoted 45s 9d ; October to December, 45s 9d ; and January
to March delivery, 47s per cwt.

" 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 one-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.
" THE 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 hero examined is
equivalent to only one 500th part of the blood contained in
the body of an adult.
" THE CONTENTS OF THE JAR.—The jar contained-11.
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
skins as well as the pulp of 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. The 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
in the liquid portion of the contents. The intestines pre-
sented 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 wore traces of strychnia in the
contents of the stomach..
" Thirdly, That there 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 three 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.
Tho Coroner—Would you have expected to find it in
the blood, or tho liver, or the spleen ?
Professor
I should not. I have made a
calculation,
had the whole of the strychnine
been
wouldNhao ht'ave been only 1-50th of the grain
the r o t
h and e T
there
findor t
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 even 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 other 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 bo 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 made 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
yimproper in a medicine of that
usualna-
to give strychnine in pills; it is
utbusoli:ea, na-
ture.
usually
given
isis
t noti nvesrolution, as it can be more accurately
apportioned in that form.

By Mr. Whatman—l have never personally known
strychnine to be given medicinally to correct *feminine
irregularities; it has been used by Dr. Bardsley and
others wfth benefit.

By the Coroner—The other portions of the pills were
made up of aromatic confection. I 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. Ot7chnitt 1155 ben giy9ll as a tguio for in.

Tho 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
ldow.

SPORTING INTELLIUNCE—This Day.

BETTING AT THE VICTORIA CLUB.

CESAREIVITCH.
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.
100q0 Gon the field

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

4.-
TATTERSALLS.— TuußsDAr.

The attendance this afternoon was meagre, and the sub-
joined quotations on the Ces,u•ewitch are merely given by
way of informing the public of the state of the market. in
connection with the animals referred to :

CESAREWITCH.
11 to 1 agst Privateer (offered)
100 to 6 agst Nuneaton (taken)
100 to 6 agst Morris Dancer (taken)
33 to 1 agst Clown (taken)
40 to 1 agst Squire Hearty (taken)

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—THURSDAY.
CESAREWITCH.
100 to 9on the field (offered)
100 to 6 agst Nuneaton (taken)
20 to 1 agst Morris Dancer (taken)
25 to 1 agst John Davis (taken)
25 to 1 agst Alabama (taken)
25 to 1 agst Clown (offered)
40 to 1 agst Solon (taken)
40 to 1 agst Breeze (taken)
40 to 1 agst Union Jack (offered)
50 to 1 agst Helen (taken)
50 to 1 agst Chimney Sweep (offered)
50 to 1 agst Salpinctes (offered, taken 66 to 1)
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
20 to lon the field (offered)
25 to 1 agst Gardevisure (taken and offered)
200 to 7 agst Soumise (taken)
100 to 3 agst Chimney Sweep (taken and offered)
40 to 1 agst Lady Egidia (taken)
50 to 1 agst Paris (taken)
66 to 1 agst Count Cavour (taken)

THE LATE RICHMOND MEETING.—In the report (by tele-
graph) of Richmond (Yorkshire) races, which appeared in
our impression of Wednesday and Thursday, Elland, the
winner of the Richmond and Burton Handicaps, was re-
turned in each case at odds against him. It should have
been thus :—Richmond Handicap, 5 to 2 on Elland; Burton
Handle:lb:2 to 1 on Elland.

The First Beaufort Biennial Stakes of 10 sovS etTali, With
50 added ; for three-year-olds ; colts, Bst 10 ; f and g,
Bst 71b; penalties and allowances. One mile 2 furlongs.
20 subs.
Mr. J. B. Morris's Shrapnell, Bst 131 b (C. Grey) 1
Mr. T. Parr's The Guide, Bst 31b (G. Hall) 2
Mr. Rowland's Desiree, st 41b (Payne)-3
Mr. W. S. Cartwright's Lady Tredegar,-Bst ...(Cannon) 4
Betting-11 to Bon The Guide, 7to 2 agst Shrapnell, 4
to 1 agst Desiree. Won by half a length ; two lengths
between second and third; a bad fourth.
The Beaufort Cup (Handicap) of 10 sovs each, with a
piece of plate added; winners extra. One mile and a
quarter.
Mr. Cartwright's Princess of Wales, 3 yrs, sst 21b
• (G. Sopp) 1
Mr. Brayley's Trapeze, 3 yrs, Est 121'o (Murray) 2
Mr. Payne's Beadle, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (Clement) 3
Betting—Even agst The Beadle, 2 to 1 each agst Princess
of Wales and Trapeze. Won by a neck; a bad third.
The Momow Stakes of 3 soya each, with 25 added ; weight
for age ; selling allowunces. 6 furlongs.
Dulcimer, 3 yrs' 7st 51b (Clement) 1
Eugenie, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (C. Grey) 2
Wild Maggie, 4 yrs, Bst 111 b (Harley) 0
Betting-3 to lon Dulcimer, who won by a length. The
winner was bought in for 36 guineas. Wild Maggie bolted.
The County Members' Plate (Handicap) of 30 soya, added
to a sweepstakes of 5 soya each, for all ages ; certain
winners extra. One mile. 13 subs.
Mr. Brayley's Antoinette, 4 yrs, 7st 111 b (Cannon) 1
Mr. Ballinger's .Aline, 3 yrs, Est 71b (Kay) 2
Mr. Adame' Manchester, 5 yrs, Bst (c. l'age) 3
Mr. Turner's Reinfrid, 3 yrs, Est 101 b (Murray) 4
Mr. Carlisle's Allow Me, b yrs, ist 91b (Grey) 5
Mr. Morgan's Melbourne Mary, 3 yrs, 7st 11b (in. 51b ex)
(G. Supp) 6
Betting--3 to 1 each agst Antoinette and Allow Me, 4to
1 each agst Manchester and Aline, 10 to 1 Reinfrid. Won
by a length ; two lengths between second and third.
The Chippeuham Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 50 added;
weight for age ; penalties and allowances. Six furlongs.
10 subs. •
Duke of Beaufort's Crytheia, 4 yrs, 9st 41b (Cannon) 1
Mr. Stebbing's Shrapnel], 3 yrs, Bst 121 b (Grey) 2
Capt. King's Gem of the Sea, 5 yrs, 9st 111 b (J. Goater) 3
Betting-6 to 4on Gem of the Sea, 2to 1 agst Crytheia,
100 to 30 agst Shrapnell. Won by a neck; a length be-
tween second and third. . .
The Troy Plate (Handicap) of 25 sovs, added to a sweep-
stakes of 5 soya each ; certain winners extra ; gentlemen
riders; jockeys 71b extra. One mile and a half. 12 subs.
Mr. Sly nd Garus, aged, 10st 81b (in. 71b ex) —(R. Sly)
.1-
Mr. M.ergan's The Plover, 5 yrs, list 11b...(Mr. Seobeit) 2
Mr. Adams' Manchester, 5 yrs, 11st lib (in. bib extra)
(Mr. A. Williams) 3
Betting-3 to len The Plover. • Wen easily by three
lengths; a bad third.
Match-100 sovs, h ft. Five furlongs. •
Mr. Maund's Mother of Pearl, 2 yrs, Bst 71b...received ft.
Mr. Morgan's Harriet, 2 yrs, Bst 71b (paid)

HENDON RACES-YESTERDAY.

ROTTING PURSE.

Yoh-ode filly
Usher
Castle Hill .

1

3

Six ran.
MATCH--Scotch Grey biat Penelope.

A correspondent of the Aberdeen Journal starts
the theory that hares and rabbits are as likely to spread the
cattle plague as sheep and lambs. Ho says they aro mov-
ing about on the pasture in hundreds, and way carry
ufection all over the country. .

.FOREIGN-OFFICE, SEPT. 11.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Frank
Cavendish Lascelles, Esq., now Attache to her Majesty's
Embassy at Paris, to be a Third Secretary in her Majesty's
Diplomatic. Service.

WAR-OFFICE, SEPT. 20.
The Queen has bee❑ pleased to appoint Lieutenant-
General Sir Richard Airey, 1i.C.8; to be Governor and
Commander-ha-Chief in and over the City and Garrison of
Gibraltar.