Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-03-16

available.
RI hold it as absolutely proved that
the mugs Eeld the medicine intended to
have been placed in them by the COM
FOUNDER of the prescriptions for those
mugs, and the Aconiine was added after
wards AS the colors found 10 the mugs
were precisely those that the medicines
should have shown. it is probable that the
colorless Aconitine and not any of the
preparations of Aconite was added
Iwould state that the very marked phys
biological effect produced on the tongue by
the very minute residues taken from these
mugs is an indication of the amount of
Aconitine present, and considered in con.
nection with the absence of any dark COL
or IN the residues, or any color other than
that naturally arising from the medicines
themselves, is suggestive of the more prob
able use of Aconlrlne itself or one of its
salts, rather than any of the usual medic
inal preparations from the crude root.
But on this too much stress ought not TO
be laid.
The other materials examined consisted
of piece of cotton sheet stained by mat
ter vomited by another patient. Joel
Thomas. The stained piece of cloth cut
out soaked in very diluted ascetic acid.
pressed out and the solution treated by
the method for alkaloids, gave minute
chloroform residue yielding a slight trace
of Aconitine. Also some liquid matter
vomited by the same patient Joel Thomas)
after whiskey had been administered
This smelled strongly OF whiskey and
treated by the methods for alkaloidS gave
slight chloroform residue yielding some
trace of Aconitine in taste-not much to
be relied upon.
THE MEDICINES IN THE MUGS ALL NIGHT
WHEN PUT THERE.
The remains of the three medicines used
namely, mnriate of iron. tonic; elixir of
phos:'hat Of iron, quinine and strychnine
and fluid extract Of hyoscyamus were al
exam ned. but no signs of Aconitine OBJ
taine from any one Of them. Finally. 4
few ounces Of whiskey f,uhd in bottl'
in thu pocket of l.. T. Wilkins was exam
ned aud left much sugar on evaporation
bnt furnished no indications of Aconitine.
lThe Professor here said to the jury that
10 had no idea before m klng the tests and
tasting the results how soon Aconitine af
| fecte the brain. In this instance the
Professor though the rapid deaths result
| ed fan the taking of a large and very
| pure lose Of Aconitine.
| n yNo,,Id oDu iofa in TIM ~
of tbs medicines prepared to be given as
adm uistered in the mugs referred to, &C.
count for the fatal result?
Answer. Il can hardly think so, taking
into account the symptoms exhibited and
the exceedingly speedy deaths in three of
| the G lses.
| fDf. &. S. Hamilton here explained that
Their had never bsan to his knowledge in
| the Asylum any Aconitine. There had been
| HyoscYamine-6ve grains of it-but after
making a solution of it. which did not an
| swer the purpose for which it was intend
ed, it was poured ont. There are now, he
| said. tincture and fluid extract of AGO.
| mite and tincture and fluid extract
| of Hyoscyamus in the Dispensary, but
neither Aconitia nor Hyoscyamine which
are the two most deadly forms Of the two
| roots
The jury then ali burned to meet again.
Superintendent Hamilton will make an
examination of the old hooks of the Insti-
| tuition to fad when and where any
Aconitine was purchased, or if any ever
was.
THE ACONIrINE IN DRUG STORES.
| The following note addressed by US 10
the proprietors of the drug stores in Staun-
| ton on Tuesday:
Have you any Aconitia ? If you have
have you sold or parted with any of it re-
Gently ?'
Logan. Tyree & Martin, replied: 1--WE
have not; nor have we eyer had or sold
any" s-,-->
| Berkeley. Allen 4 Co., B. rank Hughes
Il Co., and Geo. ". May 4 Co., returned
answ ers to the same effect.
Wayt & Bro, had small vial, which
was shown by one of the tirm Mr.. How
ard Wayt member Of the jury of inquest
to the jury. The vial had not been opens
for years and the firm in th;.t time had ns
sold any. +