PHAR LAP’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1932, Page 5

PHAR LAP’S DEATH

ARSENIC IN GRASS EVIDENCE OF POISONING. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SAN FRANCISCO. April 9. A Government official declared that inspection of Pilin',, [Lap's organs re\ca!,s that the horse was poisoned by a spray that was used on trees on March 31st. This drifted into grass which the horse ate. Mr W. H. Vincent, Chief of the Western Division of the United States Bureau on Food and drugs, said oil Saturday that he had found poisons in the grass in pasture that supplied the forage for Phar Lap. Poisonous spray was undoubtedly blown into tile the field from oak trees that had been sprayed with the poison on March 31st.

Mr Vincent said Hint oak trees surrounded the field in which Phar Lap had been allowed to roam. Air Vincent also said: “If further tests ievealed that the spray had fallen widely over the grass, there will be little doubt but that Phar Lap’s death mystery will lie solved.”

A test of grass revealed .01 grains of arsenic per pound in the forage. As the spray also contained lead arsenate in the ratio of 2-j to one part of arsenic, ■ft further analysis of the forage is expected to re-veal this poison. The authorities have explained that both poisons have a cumulative effect, and therefore the amount taken in tho forage- in a few days would be sufficient to kill the animal.

It is recalled that numerous cattle and a horse grazing in the vicinity have died mysteriously recently.