WARNING TO PARENTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 581, 5 November 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

WARNING TO PARENTS.

INFANT'S DEATH. It is not generally known, but it is a proved fact, that the stamen, or fellow centre, of the Arum lily is deadly poison. Parents who are in the habit of growing the liiy are warned not to allow their children to eat the yellow centre. Children are in the habit of picking out this yellow substance and depositing it in the, month. It lias- a.-4'»ther- s«wei taste, and once they have tasted it they generally go for more. On Thursday morning of last week, Kenneth Lewis Spilsbury, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John Spilsbury, of Onewhero, succumbed as a result of poisoning. It appears that the little fellow and his sister, aged about, three years, ate the stamen of the Arum lily. The children became ill, with the result that the child aged about 22 months succumbed. An inquest was held before the District Coroner, Mr. R. F. Webster, at Onewhero, on Friday last. Evidence was given by Dr. C. H. Wake, who conducted a examination, that death was due to poisoning through eating the stamen of the Arum lily. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.