What you have been telling us about mental excitement, sensual excitement, is not within your own observation?--This case might have arisen from those causes.
Have you any reason to think it did?--I have no reason to do so.
Then do not tell us what it might have done. Now, in the case of Catherine Wilson?--I saw her about half-past ten at night. She had been ill very nearly an hour before I saw her. She had convulsions. She had gone about her usual duties up to the evening. She felt a slight lassitude previous to that time. It was only by close pressing that she could call it to mind. The lockjaw, I think, came on in an hour or two; I could not be positive.
In the other case, of Mr. Copeland?--It was a young child between three and four months old.
Was that the person of the name of Copeland?--Yes.
What was the matter with the child?--I saw it in good health half an hour before the attack came on. It had an attack of convulsions and opisthotonos. I rode away from the house, and they supposed I had not gone a couple of miles when it died.
It was seized with a fit?--Apparently a spasm, which I consider to be of the tetaniform character. I had seen the child half an hour before. There was nothing the matter with it then. It was in bed, I believe, with the mother, who was laid up. I did not see its face. I saw it lying in bed, but did not examine it. I judged it to be asleep.
With regard to the animals that you experimented on with strychnia, when did you begin with them?--I began this series of experiments for this case in January.
Had you ever made any before?--Yes; I think eight or ten years ago. The dose by which I killed the animals was from 1¾ to 2 grains. The animals experimented upon were dogs, cats, rabbits, and fowls. These experiments will relate to dogs. A grain is the smallest dose I administered. In four cases I used a grain, in five 1½ grains, in one, I think, 1¼ grains, and in two 2 grains.
You never tried them with half a grain?--Yes, I did; I did not mention it before. I gave half a grain for the purpose of ascertaining the least dose that would kill.
Did you try if you could detect it afterwards?--How could I try before I killed the dog?
Do you mean on your oath you do not understand my question? Show me one instance where you have given half a grain?--I did not make a note, because it did not kill. I have never destroyed a dog with half a grain; I tried it, and it did not answer.