TRAGIC DEATH OF A SCOTCH DOCTOR.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 13

TRAGIC DEATH OF A SCOTCH DOCTOR.

SIR HENRT SON AND DREGS. At Hampshire on September 6th, Mr Walter Schroder held an Inquest on the body of Dr. Thomas Herbert Littlejohn, medical officer of health for the burgh of Hampstead since. June, 1901, and son of Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn, medical officer of health for Edinburgh. Dr. Littlejohn was 38 years of age. The coroner said deceased had ben recently suffering from insomnia and he had resorted, probably unwisely, to taking drugs. The jp-ry would have no difficulty in arr'ving at a decision as to the cause or death, and they would have but little difficulty in saying that death was due to misadventure. Dr. Henry R. Littlejohn, of Edinburgh; identified the body as that of his brother. The deceased was a bachelor of Medicine and a Fellow of the Royai College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and also had a diploma in public health. Before coming to Hauipstead he was made officer of health at Scarboro'. Generally speaking, he enjoyed good health. Witness last saw him about four weeks ago, and then he was very well. He never slept well, and always GOT WORRIED OVER HIS WORK. He had not told witness that he was taking drugs of any description. He was summoned by telegram from Edinburgh, and came to see the deceased od Thursday, when he was told that deceased had taken sulphonyl. Deceased's symptoms and appearr ance were consistent with his being under the infhieii.ee of that Witness had made a special study of these matters, and remained with bis brother. As the deep sleep in which witness found him continued, he realised that the drug was not acting simpr ly as a sleeping draught, but as a poison. Water -was thrown over his head, and other means were taken to arouse him, but he only regained consciousness for a short period, when he could not speak more than a few words. Deceased had been suffering from toothache. The coroner said there was not the slightest suggestion that, death was due to any other cause, and the jury returned a ?o*diet of dearth throngji misadrentrjre. .