Death From Karaka Berry Poisoning.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 31 December 1891, Page 2

Death From Karaka Berry Poisoning.

— — • *% It is generally supposed that the eating of Karaka berries is a harm - less taste, the wofst that could happen to the eater, supposing his .or her appetite to be abnormal, being nausea and sickness. An instance has occurred however^in our midst of rapid fatal poisoning frok\ eating this species of native wild froiu** and the sad occurrence should serve as a warning". On Boxing Day a lii.™ boy named John (Rob) Paton, agev 8£ years, went with some other boys including an elder brother, to Lowry Bay, and there gathered and ate a quantity of Karaka berries. Within half-an-hour of doing so he and some of his companions began to vomit. The rest only suffered this inconvenience, but little Paton rapidly became worse, and within two hours was unconscious and in convulsions. . A doctor chanced to be among those at the bay, and gave his attention to the boy, but the emetics administered had but little effect. It was 9.80 o'clock at night before the little c»iap was brought home, when his father at once took him to Dr RawsoH, who administered such remedies &s he thought necessary, and young Paton appeared to be slightly better. The improvement was only of a temporary kind however. The poor little fellow's condition fluctuated all night — now a trifle better, now worse, until he died on the following day, the convulsive symptoms lasted to the end. We understand the case is a rare one from the medical point of view, no previous death from karaka berry poisoning having been noted, but parents and guardians would do well to caution their children on the subject. — Post.