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that she had disease of the heart and liver, and that nothing more was the matter with her. There can, it appeared to the author, be no doubt that the oil was administered with a guilty intention. Every qualified practitioner, acting bona fide, would undoubtedly satisfy himself that a young woman whose menses were obstructed was not pregnant, before he prescribed full doses of this oil three times a day, or he would fairly lay himself open to a suspicion of criminality. If pregnancy-a frequent cause of obstructed menstruation-were only suspected, this would be sufficient to deter a practitioner of common prudence from prescribing, in any dose, a drug which may exert a serious action on the uterine system. ('Med. Times and Gaz.' Ap. 17, 1852, p. 104.) On the Northern Circuit, Dec. 1853 (Reg. v. Moore), a man was tried and convicted of administering oil of savin to a pregnant woman. It made her very ill, but did not produce

abortion.

The oil of savin is obtained in the proportion of about 3 per cent. by weight by the distillation of the tops. It has a yellowish colour, and the peculiar terebinthinate odour of the plant, by which alone it may be recognized. It may be separated from the contents of the stomach by agitating them with its volume of ether, in which the oil is very soluble. The ether may be afterwards removed by distillation. The odour of the oil is stated to have been perceived in the blood and in the cavities of the body. This may be regarded as the best test of its presence. (Horn's Vierteljahrsschr.' 1866, 1, 241.) The oil of savin forms a turbid mixture with alcohol. When treated with its volume of sulphuric acid, it acquires a dark brown colour, and when this mixture is added to distilled water, a dense white precipitate separates.

She

Tanacetum vulgare. Oil of tansy. Tansy.-Hartshorne states that in the United States the oil of tansy has acquired the character of a popular abortive, and has caused death in several instances. In England this oil, and the herb, have been chiefly employed for the purpose of expelling worms. Pereira quotes a case in which half an ounce of the oil proved fatal. The symptoms were spasms, with convulsive movements and impeded respiration; no inflammation of the stomach or bowels was discovered upon dissection. The cases referred to by Hartshorne are-1. A teaspoonful of the volatile oil was taken by a girl in mistake for the essence. complained of giddiness, and became insensible in ten minutes; convulsions came on, with frothing at the mouth, difficult respiration, and irregular pulse; and she died in one hour after taking the oil. ('Amer. Jour. Med. Sc.' July, 1852, p. 279.) 2. The second case occurred to Dalton, and is reported by him in the same journal for Jan. 1852, p. 136. A healthylooking girl, æt. 21, took eleven drachms of oil of tansy about six hours after a hearty dinner. She was found insensible, and in convulsions, soon after she had taken the drug. She died in three hours and a half. A strong odour of tansy was observed in the breath before death, and on inspection in the peritoneal cavity, stomach, and even the interior of the heart. The uterus contained a well-formed foetus about four months old, which did not, either in itself or its membranes, present any evidence of having been disturbed. 3. In a third case ('Amer. Jour. Med. Sc.' May, 1835), a woman but a few weeks pregnant, took half an ounce of the oil, and did not entirely lose her consciousness until three-quarters of an hour had elapsed, although she was convulsed at intervals before that time. She died without abortion being produced, within two hours after taking the poison. (For another case see 'Med. Times and Gaz.' April 13, 1861.) These facts show, that while oil of tansy possesses no specific action on the uterus as an abortive, and does not even affect this organ or its contents by sympathy, it is capable of acting as a powerful poison on the brain and

nervous system, and of destroying life rapidly. The oil would be easily recognized, either before or after distillation of the contents of the stomach, by its peculiar and penetrating odour. It is very soluble in ether, and this may be employed for its separation.

Saffron, a decoction of the dried stigmas of saffron (Crocus sativus) has been employed as a popular abortive. Thomsen has reported a case in which abortion occurred in a woman who had taken repeated doses of a decoction of saffron with starch. There was reason to believe, however, that manipulations per vaginam had also been resorted to, and these may have had the principal share in bringing about the result. (Horn's "Vierteljahrsschr.' Oct. 1864, p. 315.) According to Pereira, although saffron was formerly used as an emmenagogue and to promote uterine contractions, it is not established by any trustworthy observations that it possesses any medicinal properties. In modern medicine its chief use is to give colour and flavour to liquids. It has been observed, that when administered to pregnant women, the yellow colouring-matter has been absorbed, and the foetus in utero has been stained with it. This appearance in the body of the fœtus might lead to a suspicion of its use, although no injury to the woman may have resulted.

In addition to these substances various medicinal preparations not known to have any action on the impregnated uterus have been employed as abortives.

Asarum Europaeum. Asarabacca.-The powdered leaves of this plant were formerly used in medicine. The leaves as well as the root are irritant and acrid, owing to the presence of an essential oil. They have an aromatic and bitter taste. In doses of from half a drachm to a drachm these preparations excite vomiting, purging, and griping pains. Like other acrid or irritant substances, they may lead indirectly to abortion by their effects on the general system, but they have no specific action on the uterus. Maschka met with the following case, in which a decoction of the leaves, taken by a pregnant woman, was followed by death without causing abortion. A woman who had reached the fourth month of her pregnancy was advised to take a decoction of asarum for the purpose of exciting abortion. Pains in the abdomen were followed by convulsions, which proved fatal on the second day. The coats of the stomach and duodenum were found softened and reddened. The stomach contained a pasty-looking substance, without any appearance of leaves, roots, or seeds. The kidneys were much diseased, and in the uterus there was a four months' foetus. The contents of the stomach were examined chemically, but nothing was found to throw a light on the cause of death. The fact that she had taken a decoction of asarum was rendered probable by the evidence of witnesses ; but it had not produced the usual effects of vomiting and purging. Maschka ascribed death to a diseased condition of the kidneys, leading to uræmic poisoning of the blood. This had, in his opinion, caused eclampsia gravidarum and death. (Horn's 'Vierteljahrsschr.' 1865, 1, 54.)

In 1856, a medical man was convicted at the Cent. Crim. Court of Sydney of administering extract of belladonna as a suppository, in order to excite abortion. In a case which occurred in France potassium iodide was pronounced by three medical men to be an abortive ( Med. Times and Gaz.' Jan. 29, 1859), but the reasons for this opinion are not given. None of these substances have any influence on the uterus, except in affecting it indirectly by their irritant action on the system. For the action of sulphate of potash on pregnant women, see vol. 1, p. 241.

The root of the common parsley, guaiacum resin, and cantharides are also stimulant uterine emmenagogues.

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CHAPTER 65.

SPECIFIC ABORTIVES-ERGOT OF RYE-ITS PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERS-LOCAL APPLICATIONS-ABORTION FROM INJECTIONS-SIGNS OF ABORTION IN THE LIVING AND DEAD BODY-PERITONITIS--FEIGNED ABORTION-LEGAL RELATIONS-WHAT ARE NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES ?-INDUCTION OF PREMATURE LABOUR-ABORTION OF MONSTERS, MOLES, AND HYDATIDS-EXTRA-UTERINE FŒTATION TESTS FOR BLOOD AND AMNIOTIC LIQUID IN CASES OF ABORTION.

Specific Abortives. Ecbolics. Ergot of Rye. Spurred Rye (Secale cornutum).—The substance called Ergot is a diseased growth on the grain or seed of rye, caused by a parasitic fungus. In powder, infusion, or tincture, it has been for some time used by medical practitioners to excite the action of the uterus and aid parturition. It is also used for a similar purpose on animals in veterinary practice. A trial which took place at the Cent. Crim. Court in July, 1871, shows that 'herbalists' and 'spiritualists are well acquainted with the properties of ergot as an abortive, and are ready to supply it in secrecy (Reg. v. De Baddeley and wife). The prisoners in this case were indicted for unlawfully supplying a certain noxious drug-namely, ergot of rye, knowing that it was intended to procure abortion. An advertisement was inserted in a spiritualist journal inviting people to consult at that house 'Madame De Baddeley, the celebrated clairvoyante.' From what was alleged to be transacted there, the police were induced to send a woman to consult the prisoners, and to concoct a story which might elicit their 'spiritual' mode of procedure. After being put into a state of so-called 'clairvoyance' the female prisoner advised the applicant what to do in the case of a young woman whom she had mentioned, and gave her a quantity of ergot of rye to procure abortion. In all, 67. was paid to the prisoners. The drug was at once handed over to the police. They were found guilty, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.

Ergot of rye has been found to bring on contractions of the uterus at an advanced stage of gestation, or when efforts at parturition had already commenced. There is, however, some difference of opinion respecting its specific ecbolic properties. According to Lee it has no effect in the early stages of gestation, although given in large doses. (Med. Gaz.' vol. 25, p. 10; see also ' Edin. Med. and Surg. Jour.' vol. 53, p. 27.) Kluge found that its properties varied according to whether it was gathered before or after harvest; in the former case it had an energetic action, while in the latter it was powerless. Beatty states that when used in obstetric practice it is liable, by absorption into the system of the mother, which may take place within two hours, to endanger the life of the child. (Dub. Med. Jour.' May, 1844, p. 202.) This question was referred by the French Government to the Academy of Medicine in 1845, as there was reason to think that, under its employment in the practice of midwifery, children were frequently born dead. ('Ann. d'Ĥyg.' 1846, 1, 204; see also 'Med. Gaz.' vol. 46, p. 680.) In confirmation of Beatty's statement, McClintock and Hardy report, that, out of thirty cases in which it was administered, twenty children were born dead. (Practical Observations,' p. 95.) Ramsbotham considered that the drug might operate fatally on a child according to the circumstances under which it was administered; but that, unless it excited the expulsive action of the uterus, it had no effect on the child's system. (Op. cit. p. 319; also cases in Edin. Med. and Surg. Jour.' vol. 53, p. 142.) According to Millet, in commenced or imminent

abortion, ergot procures a safe and prompt termination; and he never met with a case in which it injured the child. (Med. Chir. Rev.' July, 1855, p. 41.) This was also the result of the experience of Uvedale West, contained in a paper read before the Obstetrical Society (July, 1861). Between Dec. 1855 and June 1861 he had attended 734 labours, in 172 of which ergot was given. Including one case of twins, 173 children were born under the effects of ergot, of which number only five were still-born. These facts appear to show that ergot, as a rule, does not exert the noxious effects on the child which have been attributed to it by some obstetric writers.

On trials for criminal abortion, perpetrated or attempted, a medical witness must be prepared for a close examination on the ecbolic properties of the ergot of rye on the uterus, as well as its general action as a poison on the woman and child. A case (Reg. v. Calder, Exeter Lent Ass. 1844) has been reported, with comments (Prov. Med. Jour.' April 10, 1844), in which it was alleged that savin, cantharides, and ergot had been respectively given by the prisoner, a medical man, for the purpose of procuring miscarriage. The prosecutrix, on whose evidence the case rested, was a woman of notoriously bad character, and the prisoner was acquitted. There were three medical witnesses, who agreed that savin and cantharides were only likely to occasion abortion indirectly, i.e. by powerfully affecting the system-the view commonly entertained by professional men. Some difference of opinion existed with regard to ergot. Shapter stated that he did not think the ergot would act unless the natural action of the uterus had already commenced- a statement supported by a number of authorities. Subsequently to the trial he collected the observations of many obstetric writers, and so far modified his opinion as to admit that the ergot might occasionally exert a specific action on the uterus, in cases of advanced pregnancy, even when uterine action had not already commenced. Ramsbotham reported three cases, from which it would appear that the ergot may in some instances exert a direct action on the impregnated and quiescent uterus. In these instances the females were in or about the eighth month of pregnancy. ('Med. Gaz.' vol. 14, p. 434.) This observation has been fully confirmed by further experience on the use of the drug. (Med. Times and Gaz.' Jan. 7, 1854, p. 8; also his 'Obst. Med. and Surg.' p. 198.) J. H. Davis believes that it is a specific excitant of uterine action, and points out the cases in which, in his opinion, it may be safely employed. (Lancet,' Oct. 11, 1845, p. 393.) In a case in which, owing to distortion of the pelvis, it was necessary to bring on labour six weeks before the full period, Raynes found that ergot in the form of infusion in repeated doses. excited the action of the uterus, and delivery was accomplished within fifty-eight hours of the taking of the first dose. The uterus was in a quiescent state before the medicine was given to the patient. (Med. Times and Gaz.' March 14, 1857, p. 260.) Whitehead found that its action was very uncertain. In a case under his care, that of a woman with deformed pelvis, it was considered advisable to procure abortion in the fifth month of pregnancy; the ergot alone was employed, and at first with the desired effect. It was given in three successive pregnancies, and in each instance labour-pains came on after eight or ten doses had been administered, and expulsion was effected by the end of the third day. It was perseveringly tried in a fourth pregnancy in the same woman, and failed completely. (On Abortion,' p. 254.) It also failed in a case in the hands of Oldham. (Med. Gaz.' vol. 44, p. 49.) Nevertheless, the balance of evidence is decidedly in favour of its specific action as a direct uterine excitant; and, according to Griffiths, this is so well known to the inhabitants of the United States, that it is there in frequent use as a

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popular abortive, and another substance, cotton root bark (gossypium herbaceum), is now used with it. Perhaps the differences which have been observed in the action of the ergot of rye may have depended on the quality of the drug, as well as on the period at which it was administered. Admitting that the uterus is subject to periodical excitement, corresponding to the menstrual periods, it is probable that the action of ergot may be more powerfully abortive at these than at other times.

A case occurred at Brighton, in 1864, in which a question arose respecting the fatal effects of ergot on a woman who had taken it for a long period, obviously with a view to procure abortion. She died, however, without abortion having taken place; and the question at issue was, whether this drug had or had not caused her death. The dose taken was about a teaspoonful of the tincture of ergot three times a day, for a period of eleven weeks. On inspection, patches of inflammation were found on the mucous membrane of the stomach after death. No other cause for death was apparent, and one medical witness assigned it to the poisonous irritant action of the ergot, as, at the early stage of pregnancy which she had reached (the third month), this substance would not be likely to act as an abortive. Another medical man who gave evidence at the inquest, asserted that death could never be primarily caused by ergot of rye. The qualification introduced into this medical opinion is of small importance. The deceased woman is reported to have taken a large portion of the tincture, and it is immaterial whether the drug killed her by a primary or secondary operation. Tardieu describes the case of a woman, æt. 24, who aborted in the fourth month of pregnancy, as a result of the administration of ergot in powder; she died from peritonitis in about twenty-four hours. The ergot was found in fragments in the lower third of the bowels. ('Ann. d'Hyg.' 1855, vol. 1, p. 404.) At the same time he states that, in his opinion, ergot of rye has no direct action as an abortive; in fact, that it is not an ecbolic. (Ann. d'Hyg.' 1865, 1, 139.) The numerous cases, showing its efficacy, and its extensive use in midwifery practice, are sufficient to prove that this opinion is not borne out by facts. In respect to its operation, it may be observed that the effects produced by its administration are not such as readily to excite suspicion. It does not cause the decided symptoms of irritation observed in the action of savin, nor the nervous symptoms which are usually produced by rue. In medicinal doses, given at proper intervals, the only marked effect which it produces on a pregnant woman is a lowering of the pulse. Sometimes other symptoms of a severe character have presented themselves. (Ann. d'Hyg.' 1856, 1, 140.) If a person dies from the effects of this drug, the results are legally the same, whether its operation as a noxious substance is of a primary or secondary kind.

The

In 1878, a woman was tried (Reg. v. Brown, Lewes Ass. June, 1878) for administering ergot to a married woman with the view of procuring abortion. There was little doubt that ergot was the substance administered; and though repeated doses were given, the drug failed of its effect. case broke down, the only evidence being that of the patient herself, and Thesiger, Lord Just., directed an acquittal on the ground that the woman to whom the drug was given by consenting to the operation made herself an accomplice; and it is a maxim of English law that no person can be convicted of a criminal offence on the unsupported evidence of an accomplice.

Action of Ergot. Doses. Analysis.-In doses of from half a drachm to two drachms, ergot in powder has caused nausea, vomiting, dryness of the throat, great thirst, aversion from food, pain in the abdomen, slight purging, pain in the head, stupor, and dilatation of the pupils. Paralysis is said to

VOL. II.