FAMILY TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1922, Page 5

FAMILY TRAGEDY.

THE MELBOURNE AFFAIR. ANOTHER VICTIM DIES. MRS. CRANSTOUN’S STORY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Aug. 15, 9.45 p.m. Melbourne, August 15. Mrs. Cranstoun, one of the survivors of the shocking family tragedy at the house of Dr. Cranstoun, has sufficiently recovered to make a statement, which is corroborated by her two daughters. She said that on Sunday evening her husband informed her that he had prepared a new antidote for influenza, and asked her to allow him to test it on her before giving it to patients. She acquiesced, and was inoculated. The doctor then said that while he was about it he might as well “do the lot,” meaning the other members of the household. The whole family, including Miss Bayliss, were then treated. About an hour later the mother and daughters were inoculated with a second dose of the antidote. No explanation was given as to why morphia was injected. DEATH OF THE DOCTOR. “A CONFIRMED DRUG FIEND.” Melbourne, August 15. Dr. Cranstoun died in the afternoon. No light -so far has been thrown on the cause of the tragedy. The baker called before breakfast and Miss Baylis said: “I don’t think we want any bread to-day.” She appeared strange. Schoolmates of the children who were in the habit of calling, were informed that tfiey were too sick to go to school. Dr. Leary says that no doubt morphia was the cause of death. He had known Dr. Cranstoun for two years and never, met a more charming personality. He believed he was a confirmed drug fiend and was probably suffering from a delusion as the result of morphia, which might explain the tragedy. He also knew that Dr. Cranstoun was in financial difficulties, mainly through betting. Two years ago he treated Dr. Cranstoun for over-injection of morphia. He was unconscious for 16 hours and grave doubts were then entertained of his recovery.