On comparing these particulars with what has been said above regarding the effects of hydrocyanic acid and this whole genus of poisons, it will be seen that every circumstance coincides precisely with the supposition of poisoning with the cherry-laurel water. The symptoms were exactly the same as in Mertzdoff's case of poisoning with the essential oil of almonds (p. 604). When to this are added, the smell of the draught, which Lady Boughton could hardly mistake, the rarity of apoplexy in so young and healthy a person as Sir Theodosius, and the improbability of either that or any other disease of the head proving fatal so quickly,—the conclusion at which, in my opinion, every sound medical jurist must arrive is, that poisoning in the way supposed was very probable. But I cannot go along with those who think that it was certain; nor is it possible to see on what grounds such an opinion can be founded, when the general or moral circumstances are excluded.
The medical evidence in Donnellan's case has been much canvassed, and especially that of Mr. John Hunter. It would be foreign to the plan hitherto pursued in this work to analyze and review what was said by him and his brethren. But I must frankly observe, that Mr. Hunter's evidence does him very little credit, and that his high professional eminence is the reverse of a reason for palliating his errors, or treating them with the lenity which they have experienced from his numerous critics.
Of the Peach, Cluster-Cherry, Mountain-Ash, &c.
Little need be said of the other plants formerly mentioned among those which yield hydrocyanic acid, and act on the system in consequence of containing that substance.
The Amygdalus persica or peach is the most active of them. Most parts of the plant exhale the odour of the bitter-almond, but particularly the flowers and kernels. According to the chemical researches of M. Gauthier, the fresh young shoots of the peach collected in July contain, weight for weight, even more essential oil than the bitter almond, or cherry-laurel leaves; for 250 grains yielded nearly five grains of it or two per cent.; and he found the oil may be easily procured by distilling the shoots without addition till the product begins to pass over clear.[1] The kernels of the peach, when distilled with water, yield nearly one grain of hydrocyanic acid per ounce.[2]
Coullon has collected two instances of poisoning with the peach-blossom. One is the case of an elderly gentleman, who swallowed a sallad of the flower to purge himself. Soon afterwards he was seized with giddiness, violent purging, convulsions, and stupor; and he died in three days. Here the poison must have proved fatal by inducing true apoplexy in a predisposed habit; at least poisoning with hydrocyanic acid never lasts nearly so long. The other, a child eighteen months old, after taking a decoction of the flowers to destroy worms, perished with frightful convulsions, efforts to vomit, and
