In France, in seven years, from 1825 to 1831, inclusive, there were 216 trials for poisoning, at which 273 persons were charged with the crime, and only 102 condemned. In 94 cases occurring between November 1825 and October 1832, the substances employed were as follows.[1]
Arsenic 54
Orpiment 1
Verdigris 7
Corrosive sublimate 5
Fly-powder 3
Tartar-emetic 1
Sulphate of zinc 1
Acetate of lead 1
Cerusse 1
Mercurial ointment 1
Cantharide
Nux-vomica 4
Opium 1
Sulphuric acid 1
Nitric acid 1
Unascertained 5
In the subsequent seven years there were 218 trials, and 153 prisoners condemned. Among 194 of these the following were the poisons used.[2]
Metallic arsenic 5
Arsenious acid 132
Arsenite of copper 1
Compounds of copper 13
Corrosive sublimate 10
Artificial orpiment 3
Sulphate of zinc 1
Tartar-emetic 1
Cerusse 1
Sulphuric acid 5
Nitric acid 2
Muriatic acid 1
Hydrocyanic acid 1
Ammonia 1
Belladonna 1
Opium 3
Morphia 1
Nux-vomica 1
Cantharides 10
In Denmark, in five years ending with 1835, there were 99 cases of poisoning of all sorts, 16 by arsenic, 74 by sulphuric or nitric acid, 4 by potash, 1 by an unascertained caustic substance, 2 by opium, 1 by litharge, and 1 by copper. Only 5 cases, namely, 3 by arsenic and 2 by sulphuric acid, were cases of murder, or attempt to murder.[3]
The classification of poisons has hitherto defied the ingenuity of toxicologists. Formerly it was thought sufficient to arrange them in three great classes, according as they are derived from the mineral, the vegetable, or the animal kingdom. It is evident, however, that the only sound basis of arrangement is their action on the animal economy; for such a classification is the only one which can be useful in practice. Now, when we consider what has been said on their mode of action, or the symptoms produced in consequence of that action, it must at once be perceived, that no system founded on either of these circumstances can be logically correct. It would be very desirable, if their mode of action could be adopted as the basis of arrangement; but both reasoning and experience have proved this to be impracticable. One very distinct class indeed might be formed of purely local poisons, comprehending the mineral acids, the fixed alkalies, and one or two of their chemical compounds. But a vast proportion of the other poisons which act locally have also a general or remote action; and on the other hand there are few of the latter description which do not likewise act locally. Hence if all which possess this double action were arranged in one class, that class would include nine-tenths at least of known poisons; so that, in truth, the labour of classification would still remain to be overcome.
