Reinsch Test and Medications.

Dr. William Byers Kilburn in his own evidence to the Crown Court, stated that the Reinch’s Test he carried out was, “not specific just for detecting arsenic.” He said that the Hydrochloric acid he used in the test was very clear and pure, and did agree that the same results were obtainable as for arsenic and antimony, and that he did not conduct another test to establish conclusively from arsenic and or antimony, bismuth. The test and equipment consisted of Copper Wire Spirals or Copper Plate, Hydrochloric Acid, placed into a glass container and gently heated using a Bunsen burner for one hour. After this period wash the copper wire or copper plate, then dry on a piece of white paper. The indications and results will appear on the copper wire or plate, which are as follows: Samples which produce a deposit on the copper wire will be reported as “antimony detected”, “arsenic detected”, “bismuth detected” or “mercury detected” depending on the appearance of the deposit. A silver deposit indicates the presence of mercury; shiny black deposit indicates the presence of bismuth; dull black deposit indicates the presence of arsenic; dark purple deposit indicates the presence of antimony. To confirm that the dull black deposit is due to arsenic, place the copper wire or plate into 2.0 mL of potassium cyanide solution. If the black deposit is due to arsenic, it will dissolve; if due to bismuth or antimony, the black deposit will not be removed. Dr. Kilburn in his own witness testimony statement that he had not conducted this further stage, or that he had used potassium cyanide solution. He concluded that his test had indicated that the copper wire or plate had turned “black” not dull or shiny but “black.” so in his opinion it was “arsenic detected”!

But we also know that Dr. Kilburn and Dr. Chalmers prescribed medications for Charles Edward Cotton in which they describe the compounds themselves to be “irritant poisons” and “formidable poison(s) on their own.” But safe to be taken in medications which myself and Chalmers prescribed. Let us examine this fact in more detail. The prosecutions forensic expert Professor Thomas Scattergood said, that he found traces of “bismuth and morphia” in the stomach of Charles Edward Cotton and that such amounts were not dangerous and of no importance. And in his opinion such amounts had been derived from the prescriptions by the two doctors. Let us examine just what the two doctors did prescribed during the last five days of Charles Edward Cotton’s life.

(a)    Monday afternoon on the 8th of July 1872 Dr. Chalmers prescribes, A bottle of Effervescent mixture of bi-carbonate soda and Prussic acid and 12 powders of Tartarric acid. To take two tablespoons every four hours.