POISONOUS PEA-SOUP.—EIGHT PERSONS POISONED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 377, 14 June 1856, Page 5

POISONOUS PEA-SOUP.—EIGHT PERSONS POISONED.

A great excitement prevailed throughout Melbourne on the evening of the 25th instant, inconsequence of a report which had obtained currency to the effect that a number of persons had been poisoned by having partaken of peasoup during the afternoon, at Tilke's dining rooms, Bourke-strtet. As usual, the .actual facts of what had occurred were exaggerated into something very terrific indeed, and by the time the rumour had reached us (Argus) it had assumed most startling proportions. The version with which we first became acquainted was to the effect that twenty persons bad died from the effects of poison administered in peasoup. This intelligence was so alarming that we lost no time in assuring ourselves of what had actually occurred, and in the course of our inquiries obtained the following particulars:— About three o'clock yesterday afternoon, Dr. Gilhee was called upon to attend upon Mr. Bruce, a contractor for Government works. Dr. Gilhee found Mr. Bruce at the shop of Mr. Espie, clothier, in Bonrke-street.and discovered him suffering from violent vomiting and purging, and exhibiting the indications of being under the influence of some mineral poison. The doctor learned from his patient, ihat about twenty minutes before, he had partaken of peasoup at Tilke's dining-rooms. Emetics and the usual antidotes in such cases were administered, and Mr. Bruce had so far recovered by nine o'clock, as to be considered out of danger.

It was subsequently discovered that seven other persons who had taken pea soup at the dining-rooms that afternoon had been similarly affected, the seizures in e\cxy case having taken

place about twenty minutes after the s»np was swallowed. In every instance the remedies have proved effectual, and mi making inquiries last night we were informed that all the cases were progressing favourably io recovery. The names ol seven of the sufferers have reached us. They are—Mr. Bruce, Mr. H. De Carle, Richmond ; Mr. Will.-, (Jightiy affected only) ; Mr. Rloumiugton, outfitter, Swanston-.street; Mr. Vnnghan, storekeeper, Ovens Diggings; Mr. Nutiey. proprietor of the Rifle gallery, Bourke-strvet; ami a waiter in the employ of Mr. Tilke. On inquiring at the dining-rooms we were informed hy Mr. Tilke tiiat very few of his customers had ordered pea-soup, and it is therelore probable that the deie'erious effects which appear to have overtaken those who partook were not shared by many more than the number we have mentioned. It is the opinion of Drs. Motheiwell and Gilbee, by whom the sufferers were attended, that they bad taken arsenic, and we ourselves heard a report, which,, if true, would appear to confirm the suspicions of the medical men. It would, however, be obviously unfair to Mr. Tilke, prior to the result of the analysis which is to be made being known, to mit forward rumours the purport of which may be proved to have no reference to the case. A jar of the soup, properly sealed, was given to Dr. Gilbee, by Mr. Tilke, for the purpose of analysis, and no time will be lost in puttioir the result of the investigation before the public— -S. M. Herald.