is an important character, yet not universal; for it cannot be expected
to apply to cases of slow poisoning, and poisons may be given while the
person is actually labouring under natural disease. Cases of the last
description are generally very embarrassing; for if, instead of
medicine, a poison be administered, whose symptoms resemble the natural
disease, suspicion may not arise till it is too late to collect
evidence.
It must be apparent from the preceding observations, that the characters
common to the symptoms of general poisoning are by no means universally
applicable. Yet on reviewing them attentively it will also appear, that,
considering the little knowledge possessed by the vulgar of the action
of poisons, and consequently the rude nature of their attempts to commit
murder by poisoning, the exceptions to the general statements made above
will not be numerous.
It now remains to be seen how far these characters distinguish the
symptoms of poisoning from those of natural disease; and