SUSPECTED POISONING CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 133, 27 May 1908, Page 2

SUSPECTED POISONING CASE.

THK MEDICAL EVIDENCE. Received 2Gth, 3.35 p.m. Sydney, May 2(1. At the impiest on the death of Brown, the Government Analyst deposed that liu found distant traces of arsenic in Brown's kidneys, and one-fifth of a grain in the liver. Tho analysis was not yet (■ompk'te, but what lie had found would indicate.that a large quantity of arsenic llad been present. Dr. O'Neill deposed that lie had been treating Brown for inlluenza. 11l reply to a question, the doctor said the symptoms of the Rise during the last visit were consistent with neurisis or arsenical poisoning. Dr. Chennell deposed that ho attended Brown at Mrs. Baikie's house at Stan111'Oro. The .symptoms were general loss of power, vomiting, and numbness of the limbs. As ho failed to improve and the ease appeared ail obscure one, ae suggested consultation. Brown kept putting the consultation oil'. Meanwhile, failing to account for Brown's symptoms satisfactorily, he asked if there were any poison about the house. Both Brown and Mrs. Baikie said "No." From other enquiries he discovered Mrs. Baikie had purchased sixpence worth of poison with the expressed intention of killing cats. After this discovery and his failure to obtain consultation, be declined to take further responsibility in the case, lte ordered Brown's removal to tho hospital. Tho day after 'Brown's death Mrs. Baikie (said witness), in the course of conversation, mention that Brown had an accident insurance policy but the money was not available unless it could bo shown that his death was the result of an accident. Tho impression convoyed to his mind by her was that payment of his fees depended upon her obtaining this insurant money.