MORPHIA POISONING.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 69, 19 September 1894, Page 2

MORPHIA POISONING.

What at present appears to be a case of morphia poisoning-, oitlier suicidal or accidental, occurred yesterday aftornoon in Adolaido-road, tho victim being Dr. Carl Branting, an ox-patient of Mount View Lunatic Asylum, who was only discharged from that institution on Monday, after about a year's confinement. Whero he has been living 1 since that tirao has not transpired, but yesterday morning 1 ho visited the chemist's Bhopof Mr. Wilton, Adelaide-road, and asked for a tube (6£gr) of hypodermic morphia tablets, Buoh as ho had had many times proviously, and was supplied. He then asked for some prnssio acid for tho Asylum (to -vrliiok Mr, Wilton is con tractor for the supply of drngß). The assistant, Mr. Hart, who was in ohargo of the shop, told him that he could not be Bupplied without an order. Brantin? said, " That is all right; I am a medical man, and you can't hurt me." Mr. Hart, howovor, btill refused, and said ho would ring up the Asylum and ask them to send down an order. Branting then said, " All right," and went. On telephoning to the Asylum Mr. Hart found that Branting had been discharged from there the previous night, and had no authority to ask for anything:. It was not until then that Branting was suspected of intended Buieide. Mr. Hart informed the Asylum people of his fears, and also warned Mr. Drummond, the other chemist in the neighbourhood, not to supply the man (describing him) with any poison. Branting, who it is said attempted to commit snicide some year or so ago, next turned np at the Tramway Hotel, bat it is possible evidence at the inquest will be brought to show that he also visited other chemists' shops, either after or before going to Mr. Wilton's, his purpose being to purchase poison. Deceased, having drank a glass of soda and whisky at the Tramway Hotel, asked to be allowed to wash his hands, and for that purpose Mr. R. Morieh, the landlord, took him into an upstairs bedroom. Some time afterwards Mr. Morish visited the room, where he found Bruiting, who said he was ill, lying on the bed. Branting begged that Dr. King, tho Medical Superintendent of tho Asylum, might bo called in. Dr. King was eont for, but declined .to visit tho man, as he was no longer a patient under his charge. Aa the poor fellow appeared Btill to be very ill, Mr. Morish permitted him to remain in the room. As he did* not come down stairs after an hour or two, the landlord again went to the room, where he found Branting dead .. on the bed. Dr. Alexander was promptly called in, but hiß services were of no avail. The police were communicated with, and took charge of the body. An inquest is bring held this afternoon. Deoeaaed is well knows at Otaki, where he' carried on a medical practice for many years.