The Dunedin Poisoning Case.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7730, 4 February 1905, Page 2

The Dunedin Poisoning Case.

(I'er Press. Association.) DUNEDIN, Feb, 3... The inquest on Thomas Tmdgeon, who died from supposed ptomaine poisoning was resumed to-day, but adjourned to permit of further tosti by Mr G. M. Thomson, analytical chemist. Dr. lioLoji, res.'.ieiit surgeon at the hospital, said Riddcll told him Tmdgeon and himself had partaken at tea of some tinned shceps' tongues with hread anu jteu, and at 2 o'clock next morning they became very ill. The tinned tongues were puicnused from a sioiukeeper ut Duivuuck, The brand was that of the Gear Meat Company, and the tin had been newly opined. Dr. ltoberts, who made the post mortem, described the stale of the organs, and said then' appearances were quite consistent with ptomaine posioning, but appearances in such cases were often negative. No poison was discovered. Had there been cyanide poisoning he should think the post mortem would have disclosed more traces of irritation. He considered death due to ptomaine poisoning. Air G. M. Thomson, analytical chemist, said lie hud received three tins of shoeps' tongues from the police, and one of tnese was opened and contained two tongues covered with mould. He hud tested the unopened tins for ptomaine, but the process was long and intricate, und not yet finished'. There was not metallic poison present in any of the lias. So far he had got two extracts, of which one had no cllect when given to a young animal. The other had been got rid of by the animal by immediate vomiting. The contents of tins not previously opened were not very and were spotted. There was no offensive smell and nothing to show whether they were good or bad. If any ptomaines were present lie was bound to get them by his process. James 11. Cunningham:, who had visited the tent of the deceased on tho 21st .January, said Trudgeon mentioned they had opened one tin, and not liking the look of lit had thrown it away. The inquest was adjourned till Tuesday.