SERIOUS CHARGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1539, 13 January 1887, Page 2

SERIOUS CHARGE.

A OHEISTOHTJBOH DOCTOR ARRESTED. ' Considerable excitement (says the Press) was caused in Christchurch on; Tuesday morning on its becoming knowpi that Mrs Bowern, of St. Albans, was last night arrested (or : procuring abortion. The excite* ment was increased when it beeame known that Dr Bussell, a well-known medical man and temperance lecturer, was also arrested on a similar charge, having been 'consulted by Mrs Bowern. Begarding the I arrest of Dr Bussell, we have ascertained that it was effected by Detective* O’Oocnor and B. Neill, who went to the house of the accused and charged him with attempting to procure an abortion. The doctor was met coming from the dining room, haying just finished his breakfast, and on hearing the charge he was considerably affected, and the detectives thought he was going to faint. He sub* sequently asked to be allowed to g« upstairs to arrange his affairs. He went up' with the detective*, wrote eome letter*, etc , and just as they were about to leave the house—they were in the surgery at the time—the doctor seised a bottle labelled "Fleming*! Tincture of Aconite," and before be could be prevented poured some of the content* into hie month. He resisted the detectives in their efforts to hurry him away from the house, and had to be handcuffed. He was driven to the hospital immediately, and the usual remedies were applied. On making;enquiries we learned that the accused was recovering. He told the medical gentleman at , the hospital that he had taken itryohhiue, and the contents of his stomach have been retained for analysis.