[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1586, 2 September 1882, Page 2

[BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Auckland, Last Night. Nothing fresh has transpired re the poisoning case. The Rev. Mr Tebbs who had attended the unfortunate girl for several days before her death expresses his conviction that she did not commit suicide. Dr. Richardson writes as follows Ito the Star :—": — " Sir,— Allow me to correct somewhat the report in last evening's paper of the facts of the case of supposed poisoning in Grey-street. From my first visit I made to Miss Johnston, I had strong suspicion that the case was one of injury to the stomach from some irritant, and then prescribed the remedy most likely to be of service in cases of poisoning by arsenic or corrosive sublimate and steadily persisted in thia treatment to the fatal end, which I am of opinion was thereby postponed for so long a time as seven days. I distinctly mentioned my suspicions before I had any consultation with any other medical gentlemen, and directly questioned the patient if she had taken poison, and finding no clue to the cause whichldiagnosed,l requested permission to bring some other medical opinion to bear on the case. I am led to make this statement, and though much against my wish, to anticipate some of my evidence to be given shortly, lest an impression should be formed that she might have been saved had treatment been adopted earlier. I mentioned to Dr. Walker my suspicion that arsenical poisoning might be the cause of injury under which the stomach, etc., was suffering, and also showed Dr. Walker the crystals of arsenous acid subsequently obtained by me under my microscope before he himself had applied Beinoh's test or obtained crystalline deposit. I was puzzled and perplexed as to how the irritant came into the girl's stomach, as those who nursed her know. 1 was never puzzled as to the case ; also, that on the day I asked for anothor opinion I emphatically gave my opinion that she was past hope of recovery, which you will see Dr. Walker in an enclosed letter to me did not coincide with. — I am, fee, — Arthur Richardson, M.D.