THE SYDNEY SENSATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9100, 28 May 1908, Page 5

THE SYDNEY SENSATION.

CORONER'S INQUEST. EVIDENCE OF DOCTORS. Received May 27, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, May 27. At the inquest concerning the death of Alexander Brown (supposed to have been poisoned), the Government analyst deposed that he had found distinct traces o f ' arsenic in Brown's kidneys, and one-fifth of a grain in the liver. The analysis was not yet complete, but what he had found would indicate that there was a large quantity of arsenic present. Dr. O'Neill deposed to treating Brown for influenza, when Brown left on a visit to friends at Stanmore. Eight days after hf> again visited Dr. O'Neill, and complained of diarrhoea, a hitter taste in the mouth, and numbness. i

After a few days he appeared to be better. In reply to a question the doctor said the symptoms on the last visit of Brown to him were consistent with neuritis or arsenical poisoning. Dr. Chennall deposed that he attended Brown at the house of Mrs Buikie (who is suspected of poisoning the mat]), at Stanmore. The symptoms were general loss of power, vomiting, and numbness ol the limbs. As Brown failed to improve, and the case appeared to' be an obscure one, he suggested a consultation. Brown kept putting the consultation off. In the meantime, failing to account for Brown.'s symptoms satisfactorily, witness asked if there was any poison about the house. Bo'h Brown and Mrs Baikie said no. From other enquiries he had discovered that Mrs Baikie had purchased sixpennyworth of poison with the expressed intention of killing cats. After this discovery, and his failure to obtain a consultation, he declined to take further responsiblity in regard to the case and ordered Brown's removal to the hospital. The day after Brown's death Mrs Raikie saw witness, and in course of conversation she mentioned that Brown had an accident insurance policy, but that the money was not obtainable unless it could be shown that death had resulted through accident. The impression conveyed to his mind by her was that payment of his fees depended upon obtaining this insurance. He declined Mrs Baikie's suggestion to give a certificate that Brown's death had resulted from accident.