THE CHINESE OPAUM DENS. SUPPOSED CASE OF DRUGGING AND ROBBING.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 4

THE CHINESE OPAUM DENS. SUPPOSED CASE OF DRUGGING AND ROBBING.

A youth named Thomas Selby, aged 17 years, described as a bootmaker, was found lying on the pathway in Exeter-plaeo, Sydney, at about midnight on Saturday by Constable Coost, of the No. 2 Police Station. From what the oflicer could learn ho was led to suppose that the

youth, who lived somewhere at Rookwood, had been in one of the Chinese dens in the neighbourhood of Exeter-place, where, after being drugged and robbed, ho was thrust forth into the Street. Selby was drowsy and semi-conscious, and in that condition was removed to the Sydney Hospital, where he was seen by Drs. W. R. Clay and Grwynne-Hughes. They could not at first perceive any special .symptoms of opium poisoning, but as a precaution they applied the treatment usual in such cases. This had its effect and the patient vomited freely. Ha,lf-an-hour or so afterwards distinct symptoms of narcotic poisoning appeared, and the battery was applied while other means were used to keep him awake. In about an hour and a-half he began to improve and his senses gradually returned. Next morning he was out of danger and was able to leave the institution later on in the day. Nothing definite was elicited from him about ill-usage, which it was surmised he had undergone.