TRIAL BY TANGHIN
\tɹˈa͡ɪə͡l ba͡ɪ tˈaŋhɪn], \tɹˈaɪəl baɪ tˈaŋhɪn], \t_ɹ_ˈaɪ_əl b_aɪ t_ˈa_ŋ_h_ɪ_n]\
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A kind of ordeal formerly practiced in Madagascar to determine the guilt or innocence of an accused person, by taking the tanghin poison The seed was pounded and a small piece swallowed by each person to be tried, if the accused retained the poison in the system death quickly resulted-a proof of guilt; if the stomach rejected the dose little harm supervened-and innocence was established. By the influence of Christianity its use has been discontinued. Spelled also TANGUIN.
By Daniel Lyons
