GIRL’S TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2023, 2 September 1919, Page 1

GIRL’S TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

SAW HER FATHER’S SUICIDE.

A verdict of suicide while of unbound mind was returned at the-in-quest at Enfield, Middlesex, on Dr. Frederick Watson, a mental-special-ist, of Elm Lodge, Clay Hill, Enfield.

Miss Coda Watson, aged 35, the doctor’s daughter, said that she was walking in I lie garden with her father when he spoke of taking his own life. She told him that he must not do that for her sake, but he said he could not pi’omisc, and added “You will soon get over it."

He then pulled out a clasp knife from his pocket, and tried to put it in his left side. Site endeavoured to - gel it away, and he dropped it. She pieked it up, and as her father promised not to use it again, Aho returned it, to him.

Then ho went to his study, and before she could get in he locked the door. She could see him through a easement window, lie went to a medicine cupboard, and when lie turned round she saw him drinking something from a tumbler. She smashed (lie glass in the window, but atJhat moment he unlocked the door and said “Good live, Coila,” He (hen sat in a chair and appeared to have lost consciousness. Mrs Watson said her husband received mental patients at Elm. Lodge, which was licensed for Unit purpose. Owing to air raids lie was unable fotget a sufficient number of patients. This worried and depressed him. His physical condition was very poor, and lie seemed unable to bear up against it.

Dr. Ridge said 1 tint Dr. Watson was dead when lie arrived. Itc had taken eight times as large a dose of prussic acid as anyone had ever recovered from.