# Science and Poison in The Case with Nine Solutions

> Theme guide for The Case with Nine Solutions by J. J. Connington.

The use of hyoscine, a drug from the Croft-Thornton Institute, as a murder weapon underscores the theme of scientific knowledge being exploited for criminal purposes, with characters like Dr. Markfield and Silverdale having access to it.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: The Nine Possible Solutions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/vi-the-nine-possible-solutions): Poison is a key element in Mrs. Silverdale's death, with discussions about its nature and the possibility of self-administration.
- [VII: The Fly in the Amber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/vii-the-fly-in-the-amber): The discussion of alkaloid poisons, the laboratory setting, and the synthetic amber holder underscore the intersection of science and criminal investigation.
- [X: Information Received](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/x-information-received): The identification of hyoscine as the murder poison, with detailed discussion of dosage and chemical analysis, highlights the role of scientific expertise in the investigation.
- [XIII: The Murder of the Informer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xiii-the-murder-of-the-informer): The tourniquet made from pressure-tubing and banjo-string suggests scientific knowledge, possibly from the Croft-Thornton Institute.
- [XIV: The Jacket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xiv-the-jacket): The picric acid stain on the cloth and the laboratory setting underscore the scientific and chemical aspects of the investigation.
- [XVI: Written Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xvi-written-evidence): The letter discusses using hyoscine, a poison, to eliminate Mrs. Silverdale, and the investigation involves microphotographic analysis of the document.
- [Mr. Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xvii-mr-justice): Markfield's chemical apparatus and his mention of triethylamine and tetranitromethane highlight his scientific background, which he used in his crimes.
- [Excerpts from Sir Clinton’s Notebook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xix-excerpts-from-sir-clinton-s-notebook): Hyoscine is identified as the poison; Hassendean's dosage error due to metric/apothecary confusion is explained.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/themes/science_and_poison
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/themes