DEATH THROUGH CHEWING TOBACCO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2079, 14 May 1907, Page 1

DEATH THROUGH CHEWING TOBACCO.

THE CASE OF MBS. CHESS

At tho inquest touching the death* of Mrs. Caroline Cress . licensee of the Wairau Valloy (Mnrlboi pui,l ) Hotel, Hr, Bennett deposed that on Friday, 26th April, he was called in to see Mrs. Cress. On examination he found she was suffering from very marked heart weakness. Slip |ia(l congestion of both lungs. There was io disease of the heart. He found indications of tobacco chewing in the mouth. Ho taxed deceased with chewing tobacco, and slip sulliutted having chewed from lib to Ulb of Juno per month. \Yitness then tok Mrs. Cress that her life was in danger, and she said she would endeavor to abstain from the habit. \\ itness then concluded that tho concution of the heart was due to nicotine poisoning. Medically, he could do nothing for her. except to direct that she should be watched day. a(id night. He did not see her. again alive. He was not surprised to hear of her death, as she was practically dying when he saw her. He was certain that she must have taken a very much increased quantity of nicotine on the Thursday previous to his visit, to account for the sudden collapse of the heart. He had attended her previously, and had always been puzzled to account for her condition, as there was no organic disease. 11l witness’ opinion death was due fo nicotine poisoning, caused by chewing tobacco. He was of opinion that Mrs. Cress suffered from delusions, taking the form of an idea that J some person was trying to poison her. Slic also exhibited in other ways a lack pf mental balance. Slip was violently hysterical at times, and at others morbidly melancholic. Thu jury returned the following verdict : That Caroline Cress died from an overdose of nicotine poison taken while in an unsound statp of mind,