A FATAL MISTAKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 423, 13 August 1908, Page 3

A FATAL MISTAKE.

An inquest was held at Hastings on Monday on the body of John Lonergan, who died on Saturday as a result of poisoning. Dr. Penrose Barcroft made a post mortem examination. On opening the abdomen, there was a strong smell of Tarmonia. The liver was enlarged and congested. The stomach contained about half a pint of fluid with a large quantity of Tarmonia in it. Witness concluded that the deceased died from the effects of drinking Tarmonia, which contains a large quantity of carbolic acid. Witness considered it very wrong that such a mixture should be sold without being labelled “ Poison.” He thought the deceased must have drunk about one-third of a bottle containing about a pint and a half—quite sufficient to kill him. Mrs Ellen England, sister of the deceased, said she saw deceased between 7 and 8 o’clock on Saturday morning in the bathroom with a bottle to his mouth. She asked him what he was drinking, and then noticed what it was, and told him. He immediately spat it out, and said he thought it was beer. He then fell down on the floor and never spoke again. The following verdict was returned :—“ That the deceased met his death by drinking Tarmonia, containing carbolic acid, in mistake for beer, with no intention of destroying himself.”