On the detection of aconite by its physiological action : being notes of experiments made in connection with the trial of Dr. E. W. Pritchard / by Frederick Penny and James Adams.

  • Penny, Frederick, 1816-1869.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the detection of aconite by its physiological action : being notes of experiments made in connection with the trial of Dr. E. W. Pritchard / by Frederick Penny and James Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    mirror-like globules. Another portion was dissolved in nitric and hydrochloric acids, and the solution, after the removal of the excess of acid, was tested with caustic, potash, ammonia, and iodide of potassium, and with other reagents and methods for the detection of mercury. In every case the peculiar reaction of that metal was satisfactorily produced. In order to corroborate the results of the foregoing experiments, another portion of the said contents of the intestines was subjected to Eeinsch's process, and this was supplemented by Marsh's process. By the former process copper-foil was coated with a deposit which presented the peculiar violet colour and the general appearance of metallic antimony; and, by continuing the process till the copper foil ceased to be coated and the liquid was exhausted of separable matter, pieces of the copper foil were obtained with a grey coating, which, on being rubbed, became silvery and lustrous, like metallic mercury when similarly deposited. The coated copper was then digested in an aqueous solution of pure potash, and after being well washed and dried, it was cautiously heated in a small tube. A sublimate of metallic mercury in minute lustrous globules was obtained; and this sublimate, when dissolved in the proper acids, yielded with the well-known tests the chemical reactions of metallic mercury. The potash solution from the coated copper was then treated in the usual manner for the separation of antimony in the form of the orange-red sul- phide, which, when collected and weighed, was found to correspond very closely with the proportion obtained by the process previously described. The sulphide of antimony was soluble in sulphide of ammonium and in hydrochloric acid. The solution in hydrochloric acid gave a white precipitate when poured into water, and on being subjected to Marsh's process, deposited on a porcelain slab the characteristic stains of metallic antimony. In another experiment, a portion of the said contents was distilled with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and anti- mony was detected in the distillate. With a view of ascertaning whether the antimony and mercury existed in a form soluble in water in the said contents of the intestines, a portion of these was macerated in distilled water, and the solu- tion carefully tested for both metals. The presence of antimony was distinctly detected, but no mercury. The said contents were also examined by Stas's method for aconite, morphia, and other organic poisons, but not the slighest evidence of the presence of such poisons was obtained. Stomach.—The stomach was analyzed by the same methods as those applied to the dried contents of the intestines. It yielded antimony in appreciable pro- portions, but no mercury. The quantity of antimony obtained was equal to -05 of a grain in one thousand parts. The stomach was also minutely examined for morphia and aconite, but not a trace of these substances was obtained. Liver.—The liver was found to contain antimony, but no mercury. The pro- portion of antimony amounted to one-tenth of a grain in one thousand grains. Spleen.—The spleen yielded antimony in about the same proportion as that found in the liver, and it also contained mercury in well-marked quantity. Kidney.—The kidney yielded about the same proportion of antimony as the liver, and it was also found to contain an extremely minute trace of mercury. Heart.—The heart yielded antimony in a proportion rather larger than that found in the liver. It also contained mercury in smaller quantity than the spleen. Brain.—The brain contained antimony in less quantity than the liver, but it yielded no mercury. Blood.—The blood contained a small quantity, and also a faint trace of mercury. JRectum.—The rectum yielded antimony, but in less quantity than the liver. It afforded no indications of mercury. Having dehberately considered the results of my experiments upon the articles subjected to analysis, I have arrived at the following conclusions:— 1st, That all the parts of the body examined by me contained antimony, 2nd, That in the dried contents of the intestines the antimony was partly in a form soluble in water, and most likely in the state of tartar emetic or tartarizcd anti-