SERIOUS POISONING CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3731, 9 February 1891, Page 2

SERIOUS POISONING CASE.

Peculiar Circumstances.

Hougft on Bats.

A case of poisoning of a most serious nature, and one which may yet terminate fatally, occurred in Masterton yesterday. At about nine o'clock Mr EL. G. Williams and his family sat down to a breakfast of porridge, the whole of the family ten in all) with the exception of one boy, partaking of the meal They had not well finished before several of the children became suddenly sick, and left the room, being followed in a few moments by the remainder of the family who had taken the porridge. As the symptoms presented appeared to be serious, the children being completely prostrated, Mr Williams sent immediately for Dr Hosking, who, on his arrival, administered antidotes for poisoning. This appeared to have the desired effect, for after freely vomiting signs of recovery were presented by most of the family, who are now progressing favorably. Dr Hosking believes that from the symptoms the case is one of arsenic poisoning, and this theory is pretty well borne out by the fact that a quantity of "Rough on Rats," mixed with meal, had been laid on a shelf close to the oatmeal tin, the lid of which waß missing. It ia thought that the meal containing the poison must have accidentally found its way into the tin. Dr Hosking 1m? procured a quantity of the meal, of which he is making an analysis to-day, Mr Williams and his family are of course not yet out of danger, but it is hoped that under the treatment of Dr Hosking results of a serious nature will not ensue.