M 88
(12) Toxicological Examinations.
Table LII.
NATURE OF POISON.
No. of samples. No poison found 72 Opium 46 Phenolic or cresolic compounds 39 Barbituric acid derivatives 8 Codeine 1 Alkaloids of gelsemium elegans benth 6 Hydrocyanic acid 2 Chloral hydrate 6 Arsenic derivatives 25 Mercury 2 Lead 4 Ether NANNN Corrosive acids 2 Santonin 2 Mydriatic alkaloids 2 Organic dyestuffs 1 Crude heroin hydrochloride 1 Alcohol in urine 9 Harmless materials submitted in connection with poison cases 7 Total 236 samples(13) An increase in the work is to be noted, suicide again accounting for the majority of the deaths. Opium is still the most common agent, but a very large increase in the use of poisons of the lysol type is to be reported.
(14) There were three cases of arsenical poisoning during the year.
In one, the accused murdered three people by adding an aqueous infusion of native white arsenic to the water used for boiling rice. The second case was due to a woman accidentally drinking a similar infusion in mistake for water, with fatal results. A third case arose through a Dockyard employee drinking Atlas A solution in mistake for tea, also with fatal results.
(15) Gelsemium elegans Benth was again used on several occasions for suicidal purposes, with fatal results.