DOPED SOLDIER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 29 August 1942, Page 5

DOPED SOLDIER

HANDS WENT BLACK EVIDENCE OF INJECTIONS Sydney, July 27. An official of the National Security Department gave evidence at Central Police Court that Bruce Erwin Miller, 26, described as a scientist, had given him four injections which made him sick, after he had told Miller that he did not wish to be sent north with defence forces. Miller had been charged with Panos Chryssikos, 65, agent, with having conspired between 18th April and 10th July to contravene National Security Regulations, and with having conspired to defeat the enforcement of the Defence Act. He has also been charged with having had drugs in his possession, and with having used a description which would lead persons to infer that he was a registered medical practitioner. INTRODUCED AT ROOMS Ronald Henry Tillinghast, a member of the Australian Military Forces, serving with the National Security Department, said he was introduced to Miller at Miller’s rooms in Macquarie street by Ernest Bondy, a member of the military forces engaged on police duties. Witness was in uniform. Tillinghast said that Miller told him that he could “fix him up.” He examined him, and then said, “You shouldn’t be in the Army. You have a quick heart.” “I suppose you would like to get out of the Army altogether,” he was alleged to have added Tillinghast said he was then given an injection in the thigh. Miller had said it was adrenalin. He said he was raising his blood pressure, as subsequent treatment would lower it. His fee was £ls 15s. There should be no quibble, as the material was expensive and scarce.

At 10 a.m. next day Miller gave him another injection in the arm, said Tillinghast.

Afterwards he was examined by Colonel Mclntosh at Victoria Barracks. At 2 p.m. the same day he saw Miller again, and told him he felt hazy about the eyes. Miller said that was to be expected. He was given another injection. At 4 p.m. he received a fourth injection. Miller then told him to be off the streets within 20 minutes, as he would feel very sick, and his face and hands would turn a greenish colour. “WAS VERY SICK” Witness went to Victoria Barracks. He was very sick a little after he arrived, and vomited a great deal. His hands were black. Between then and his next interview, at 8 p.m., he was not clear about what happened. At 8 p.m. he saw Miller again, and said to him, “You certainly made a good job of me.” Miller replied, “Yes. you look a very different man to the one who came to me this morning.” Miller then gave witness four tablets and a bottle of liquid he was to take the next morning. He asked him to take another four of the tablets before he left. Witness said, “I feel very sick now. Couldn’t we do without the tablets?” Miller replied, “No, we have got to make sure of you. Doctor knows best.” He added that the tablets would bring on dysentery. Witness did not swallow the tablets, and removed them from his mouth as soon as he left the building. At Victoria Barracks he handed the tablets and the bottle of liquid to Detective Wilks.