Sudden Death.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3384, 27 October 1879, Page 2

Sudden Death.

It .is our painful duty to record the death under very sad circumstances of one of the medical practitioners of the Thames, Dr Gilbert, who hag b-ien a resident of the district for the last 18 months, and had earned for himself the reputation of being a well-qualified man, but who, unfortunately, last evening took in mistake a dose of poison, and er« pired from itß effects a little after ' midnight. It appear that about seven o'clock, thinking that a slight stimulant would be of benefit to him, he proceeded to bia surgery, and, though being well acquainted with the place of every battle on his shelves, tonk by mistake a bottle of '• . belladonna for one of tincture of orang,?. Without looking at the label lie poured out about 2ozs of the liquid, and at once swallowed it. never finding out his mistake till he took the glass from his lips. He at once with admirable coolness took a strong dose of sulphide of zinc, aud immediately afterwards soma strong mustard and hot water. These had tlie desired effect, and caused him to retcb violently, and the whole of the belladonna apparently seemed to hare been thrown off. Dr Payne it as sent for, and within 20 minutes of the time the- • poison was taken was in attendance. Dr • Kilgour also soon appeared, aud Mr Hall,, chemist, was sent for by Dr Payne. The : stomach pump was used with success, and ' all appeared to be going on satisfactorily, , the medical men administering regularly . slight stimulants. The fact that their . patient possessed a strong constitution, ', | and was in good health, led the medical men to believe tbat the result would be favorable. - About one o'clock, however, as another dose of stimulant was aboutbeing administered to him, be suddenly died. Erery attention was given to the i deceased gentleman, but the amount of , the poison absorbed by the system before the emetics took effect was sufficient to kilt '} him ; aud, when it is remembered he svral*j,ji lowed fully 2ozs, from his own statement^ it will not appear strange tbat death"!l resulted. Upon taking the poison he at •. once rushed into the room where his wife and children we're, and in au ■ excited 1? manner told them he bad taken a draught' from the belladonna bottle in a mistake { for that of the tiueture of orange* \ and ordered them to prepare at. one* a % strong emetic of mustard and water. He at oace took the sulphide of zinc, aud ,i sent round for Dra Payne and £ilgour. i It is with regret that we have to chroaicle ~ such an erent, which has east a gloom " over the township. With all his faults, I Dr Gilbert was liked and respected aa a - good-hearted, clever medical .praeti* ' tioner, and bis sudden deatii is a loaf to ; the community. . :