(a) All questions of law, including the admissibility of testimony, the facts preliminary to such admission, and the construction of statutes and other writings, and other rules of evidence, shall be decided by the court, and all discussions of law addressed to it. Whenever the knowledge of the court is made evidence of a fact, the court shall declare such knowledge to the jury, who are bound to accept it as conclusive.
(b) Although the jury has the power to find a general verdict, which includes questions of law as well as fact, they are bound, nevertheless, to receive as law what is laid down as such by the court; but all questions of fact other than those mentioned in subsection (a) of this section shall be decided by the jury, and all evidence thereon addressed to them.