OLD WAIWERA MAN'S DEATH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 41, 21 November 1913, Page 6

OLD WAIWERA MAN'S DEATH.

ACCIDENTALLY POISONED. The Coroiier (Mr C. C. Graham) held an inquest at Dunedin on Tuesday afternoon into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Robert Chalmers, a retired farmer, living at 53 Prestou Crescent, Belleknowes, ami late of Waiwera, who was accidentally poisoned on Monday by being given a dose of vapor cresolene in mistake for some influenza mixture. The police were represented by Constable Macartney. Dr Evans stated that he knew the deceased, but had not attended him professionally. He was in good health when witness saw him on the 15th inst., while 011 visit to the house. Oil Monday, he was called by telephone about 12.20p.m., and proceeded at once to Mr Chalmers' house, where he found him in bed and quite insensible. The skin was cold, and a clammy, frothy mucus was exuding from the mouth. The breathing was laboured, with a weak, rapid pulse. Part of the mouth and tongue showed signs of corrosion. He passed a soft tube into the stomach and washed out the contents. He also introduced a stimulant, and applied the usual remedies for presumed poisonirfg, but without effect. The patient gradually sank, and died about 2 p.m. He made inquiries, and found that a quantity of a* proprietary preparation called cresolene had been given to Mr Chalmers by mistake instead of an influenza mixture. The m<solenc probably contained several varieties of cresol, which had the same effect as carbolic acid. He came to the conclusion that the cause of death was paralysis of the cardiac and respiratory centres of the brain, the result of taking the cresolene. The bottle in which the cresolene is sold was labelled "Poison" in black characters, but lie considered that, as this preparation was poisonous and bore on it a label to that effect, it ought not to be sold except in accordance with the provisions of the Poisons Act.

Janet Chalmers, the wife of the deceased, was in deep grief on account of the fatal accident. In her evidence she stated that the cresolene was kept on the mantelpiece in the bedroom, together with the influenza mixture. The cresolene was being used as a remedy for the baby's cold. Her sight had been affected for a long time, and she had suffered from cataract. She had inadvertently given her husband a dose of the cresolene mixture. The mistake was noticed soon afterwards, and her daughter gave the deceased a strong dose of castor oil, but it had no effect. Dr Evans was then immediately communicated with. Her husband did not speak to her again after taking the mixture.

The Coroner said that the case was a very sad and unfortunate one. He returned a verdict that death was caused by the deceased accidentally taking a poisonouo mixture in mistake for his proper medicine under such circumstaneesxthat there was no blame attachable to anyone.

The Coroner added that he would call the attention of the Minister of Justice to the open sale of the poisonous mixture and the necessity for bringing it under the provisions of the Poisons Act.