Deadly Hemlock Is Constant Menace To Young Children

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 35, 6 April 1948, Page 3

Deadly Hemlock Is Constant Menace To Young Children

The following account naming Hemlock as the probable cause of the death of three little children in England will serve to bring home to parents of young children the constant danger of this plant in New Zealand and persuade them to eradicate the weed wherever they should happen tp see it growing. It is not an unknown plant in this district, and can be recognised by its round, smooth black berries, similar to tutu.

Hemlock, water dropwort, one of the most poisonous common plants in the country, probably killed two little brothers and their sister who, with two other brothers, were found ill in a field near cthe shore of Walney Channel, Ormsgill, Barrow-in-Furness. A report by the Director of the Preston Forensic Science Laboratory, Dr. J. B. Firth, read at the inquest, said that substances identical with the root tissue of the plant were found in the children. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the underground are especially so since the tuberous roots have been mistaken, particularly by children, for parsnips, artichokes, and so on, said the report. Recording a verdict, “death by misadventure,” the Barrow-in-Fur-ness deputy coroner, Mr John Heron, said: “Probably the education authorities may take some notice of what has happened and some instructions or lessons might be given to children about plants or weeds they may find when out in the country.”