There are many reasons for this but two are of special importance:

(1). The ampèrage may and often does increase considerably during a treatment. Should this not be rapidly reduced severe burning might result.

(2). The electrodes may become disconnected either accidentally or as is common by the act of an unwise patient.

Quite painful and very terrifying sparking will take place and although the patient will not lose his life, the practitioner may lose a part of his livelihood.

During a treatment should anything of a disturbing nature occur it is but the work of a second to stop the current completely without any risks of pain to the patient by either of the two main controls.

In conclusion, let me say that if I have conveyed a general idea of what Diathermy is and the main fields of therapy in which it now is of use, quite apart from the expectation of its vastly increased use which is the diathermist's hope, then I have accomplished my task.

Should any reader desire to follow up this matter he will find much literature on the subject but for basal knowledge explained in an easily understood manner I would refer him to "Essentials of Medical Electricity" by Cumberbatch (Henry Kimpton, London) and "Diathermy with special reference to pneumonia" by Stewart (Paul B. Hoeber, New York).

CRIMINAL POISONING IN HONGKONG.

E. ROADLEY DOVEY, A.R.C.Sc., F.I.C., F.C.S.

Among the more serious criminal acts there are perhaps none which excite more interest in the community than cases of criminal poisoning. This subject may be considered under the two heads, suicidal and homicidal poisoning.

In most places the substances used for suicidal poisoning are much more numerous than those used for wilful murder. For the former purpose any easily-obtainable substance possessing well-known toxic properties may be employed. In the latter only those having little or no pronounced odour or taste, the presence of which may be disguised or concealed from the intended victim are usually employed. In spite of this, however, in this Colony there is only one poison commonly used for suicidal purposes, namely opium.

The general features of opium poisoning are of course wellknown, but one or two points of interest may be mentioned. Though drowsiness and stupor are common symptoms, convulsions may occur. Again although the pupils are strongly contracted in the earlier stages there is often a noticeable dilation before death in fatal cases.

One peculiarity about such cases has been observed, namely the fact that opium may be absent from the vomit and the

stomach washings although a considerable quantity may be found later in the contents of the stomach after the post mortem examination. Two such cases may be mentioned.

In April, 1925, a bottle was received containing 18 fluid ounces of liquid described as the stomach washings from a case of suspected opium poisoning. The liquid which was practically water-white, gave a very doubtful reaction for meconic acid and negative tests for alkaloids. Later on the stomach and contents were received. The stomach was distended with food eaten before admission to hospital, the liquid portion was deep-brown in colour and had a pronounced odour of opium. A large quantity of opium was found on analysis and particles of solid opium were picked out from the stomach contents.

Later on in the same year a bottle containing stomach washings was received. This was from a Chinese female aged 40 who was suspected to have taken opium. The liquid was deep reddish-brown in colour, had a pronounced odour of opium and a considerable amount was found on analysis. Later the stomach and contents were received and again a considerable quantity of opium was found. The following day, a specimen of vomit from the deceased's room was sent in by the Police. This was white

in colour and contained only a slight trace of opium.

Where the potassium permanganate treatment has been effectively given to a victim of opium poisoning, no morphine will be found in the stomach, the whole having been converted into dioxy-morphine. Detection then depends on ascertaining the presence or absence of meconic acid. Attempts are now being made to find a method of reducing the dioxy-morphine back to morphine in the comminuted viscera, so that it may be isolated as such.

The following Table gives the results of 327 cases of poisoning investigated in the Government Laboratory during the ten years 1915-1924 inclusive.

Summary of Results of Examinations in the

Investigation of 327 Poison Cases,

Carried out in the Hongkong Government Laboratory

During the Ten Years, 1915-1924.

As will be seen, in many cases no poison was found. In most of these there were no definite grounds for believing that poison had been given or taken, but as the cause of death was obscure the possibility of poison had to be eliminated.

It will be seen that among the cases where poisons were isolated, eight poisons accounted for 82% of the whole. These

Among the above are two about which little will be found in manuals on Toxicology and about which therefore something should be said.

Gelsemium elegans is a plant which occurs sparsely on the Island of Hongkong but more plentifully on the neighbouring islands and mainland. It is known by many Chinese names, the

most common being Ho Ming Ting Others are:

The plant is used among the Chinese for killing birds and animals. It is supposed to be innocuous to goats and goats' blood is sometimes given as an antidote to the poison. Decotions of the root are used in China medicinally for the external treatment of wounds and skin eruptions. When a decotion of the root is taken the victim usually experiences giddiness, dimness of sight and violent pain in the stomach, being very often found rolling about on the floor: Later they become semi-unconscious, the pupils are dilated and do not react to light, the person is unable to walk or sit up, muscular spasms especially of the arm muscles are seen, the breathing becomes irregular and death may occur in from one to six hours. No characteristic appearances are observed on post-mortem examination.

The plant has been found to contain an alkaloid of the Strychnine or Tetanus group. It is similar but not identical with the alkaloid gelsemine found in the Gelsemium sempervirens or yellow jasmine, and the name gelsemidine has been proposed for it. An infusion of the root containing the equivalent of 1/30th of a grain of the alkaloid, when injected intraperitonially into a guinea pig killed the animal in 25 minutes, and a portion of the infusion containing the equivalent of 1/60th grain, when injected subcutaneously killed a guinea pig in the same period.

The poison can be readily separated from viscera by a modified Stas-Otto process and gives clear and characteristic reactions.

The plant Illicium Religiosum. Sieb. or Japanese Star Anise contains in its roots, seeds and leaves a poison the chemical nature of which is not fully known. The poisonous nature of the plant is well-known to the Chinese and it is sold freely in this Colony and in the coast ports under the name of Yat-punhui heung 日本茴香 or Mang-ts'ao 莽草

It is used for both homicidal and suicidal purposes the fruit or seeds being the part usually used, but all parts of the plant is

poisonous. The dried fruit are crushed and steeped in warm water and the decotion thus prepared is taken or administered. A decotion of 30 fruit has killed an adult woman in eight hours. It is said that the leaves are used among the Chinese for the purpose of destroying rats and also that the native medical practioners use them as an antidote to other poisons, as an anthelmintic, parasiticide and an anodyne.