PTOMAINE POISONING

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1371, 4 February 1905, Page 3

PTOMAINE POISONING

THE INQUEST.

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. Tho inquest cn Thomas Trudgeon, who died from supposed ptomaine poisoning, was resumed to day, but adjourned to permit of further tosts by MrG. M. Thomson, analytical chemist. Dr Hotop, resident surgeon at tho hospital, said Riddell told him Trudgeon and bo had partaken of tinned shoep tongues, bread, and tea. At 2 o’clock next morning they became very ill. The tinned tongues were purchased from a storekeeper at Duntaek. The brand was that of the Gear Meat Company, and the tin bad been newly opened. Dr Roborts, who made tho post mortem, described the state of the organs, and said the appearancos looked quite consistent with ptomaine poisoning. The appearances in such cases were often negative. No poison was discovered. Had there been cyanide poisoning he should think the post mortem would have disclosed more traces of irritation. He considered that death was due to ptomaine poisoning. Mr G. M. Thomson, analytical chemist, said he had received three tins of sheep tongues from the police. One of these was opened and contained two tongues covered with mould. He tested the unopened tins for ptomaine, but the processes were long and intricate, and were not yet finished. There was no metallic poison present in any of the tins. So far he had got two extracts, of which one had no effect when given to a young animal, and the other had been got rid of by the animal by immediate vomiting. The contents of the tins not previously opened were not very tempting, and were spotted. There was no offensive smell, and nothing to show whether they were good or bad. If any ptomaines wore present he was bound to get them fay his process. James H. Cunningham, who had visited tbs tent of deceased on the 21st, said Trudgeon mentioned that they had opened one tin, and not liking the look of it bad thrown it away. The inquest was adjourned till Tuesday.