Warning to Chemists

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 June 1910, Page 4

Warning to Chemists

CHILD TOLLED WfTH AX ADULT'S MttDICiXE.

At Tiimoru last woek, M,r G. V. Day, S.M., held an> ad.joui'iied inquiry in'to tlie circumstances .surrounding the death 'of Jessie Kval.vn Thomas, aged -I .J years, wiho di.ul suddenly at the residence of her iri'iindniather, nt BeaconsfieilKl, on Wednesday, Juno Ist. Dr Ga'bites had refused to give a ceritificato of denth.

After hearing evidence, in which it was said that ithc. bronchitis cii''e contained, two poisonous ingredients that would have been omitted if made up for an infant, the Coroner .said that <]i<e would have to return a verdict in wi'fh the medical tetimony, that death was dee to opium poisoning given in *he form of medicine. There was no blame attachable to Mr iSumniere:!l« the ehetii'ist, as he undoubtedly f.' Id the miedicin.e for tlio purpose of an adult. However, in fulture. chenists would be well advised' to affix to bottles of medicine for adults a caution aga.inst theiir use by :'hildren, if it were dangerous that the medicine should be so \\ao<{[. The onus of the child's diwvtih was on Mrs Cln.rk ami her ifiior.mre in the matter. XatunilU', sfio l<ad thon'O'.t that the medicine, that was jr "\ for'lier womld he good for the child if given in sni/iller ounnti-J'Sies. !•'■ seemed (scarcely right, cones rled the Coroner, Itliat rliemnsts should 1 e ftlfowwl to diisitrilmte haplia/;nrd!«tnedici'ires of ttys_ sort without some form of supeirvisiion.