DOCTOR'S DIARY OF DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 183, 2 August 1913, Page 17

DOCTOR'S DIARY OF DEATH.

' ' v «- . AGONIES OF MAX WHO SAW TENNYSON DIE. "I DO SO WANT TO LIVE." A pathetic account of a medical man's sufferings, as recorded by himself in bis diary, was read at the, inquest at Westminster. London, on the body of Dr. George Rogue Dabbs, aged sixty-seven, who was found dead in bed in bis flat at Iddeslcigh Mansions, C'axton Street. Dr. Dabbs was a remarkable man. He was tbe author of a number of novels and plays, and at one time ran a weekly paper, and when in practice in the Isle of Wight was Lord Tennyson's medical attendant, being at his deathIt was shown in evidence that deceased had been subject to acute heart attacks, and had been in the habit of inhaling chloroform to mitigate the pain. The diary, written in a tremulous hand on tbe backs of envelopes, after stating that no one was to "blame for the impatience of an old fool," and "Pain down left arm agonising; chloroform might relieve mc," went on:— "S.lo, sth of June.—Stopper stuck. Crawled to kitchen. '•S.3o.—Moved it at last. Telephone operator has begun a new page evidently" (this, remarked the coroner, looked as if someone had been ringing up or the operator as usual, had given the wrong number); "pain a little better. "12.10. —Pain for over two and a half hours. Coming back again. In spite of my promise to , shall take more chloroform, but I am bound to stop it, or it will stop mc. "S.4s.—Pain conquered, I think. Have just telegraphed for more chloroform. Can't do without it. "C p.m., Friday.—Just had a clutch at my heart again. Was talking to Adelaide (an old lady friendl, and had recited her my last poem from W.G. I won't funk, and even if I die in her dear arms she will forgive mc. But perhaps it will pass. "Gth June.—Continue diary. Rest of story in my bag. "10.25 p.m.—Some pain. A little chloroform. "6 p.m., 7th June.—Got some more chloroform from Reading's. It is safer for mc than morphia, which I have not touched. "S.SO.—A kind friend gave mc a little dinner. I was only there an hour and five minutes. Her kindness ought not to be rewarded by her name being mentioned, if, as seems probable, my trouble comes on in tbe night. "Sunday, Sth June.—Bad night. Oh, this humiliation of disease! Shall keep quiet nil day and die like a stag, if I may be alone I have avoided morphia hitherto, but the pain is too much, and chloroform is like milk to mc. But Ido so want to live. The ; world is so full of light and life and interest." His mind evidently rambling on the sub- I ject of conscription and politics, the de- ' ceased had written: "Jack Seely will do, if he will only remember his own explanation, but will he? If Winston had been in Opposition now he would have been Prime Minister in six months. I hope they will appreciate my partner. He is of sound opinion." On another envelope lying on a table were the words: "Can I keep awake till they find me—tbey find ine—fine me—find me—l must." Medical evidence showed that tbe cause of death was syncope, accelerated by the inhalation of chloroform, and a verdict of "Death from misadventure" was returned.