FAMILY POISONED

Evening Star, Issue 16987, 8 March 1919, Page 9

FAMILY POISONED

THREE- CHILDREN" DEAD. Distressing circumstances surround the deaths of three young! children recently in Melbourne. The mother of the children, Mrs Sarah M'Closkey, a widow, residing in Malin stre-ot, Kew, said that two of the victims — Frank Joseph and Daniel—ware twins. She called in a doctor to attend to Frank._ The child died next morning, and a certificate was given that death was due to enteritis and convulsions. Afc 11 o'clock the same night the doctor was called to attend Daniel, vrho was sltowing much the same symptoms as his brother had shown. The doctor stayed with the little chap till 3 a.m., when lie was much better, and then ordered his removal to tho hospital. The mother took the boy there at 7 a.m., together with his little sister Alice, about five years of age, who also showed symptoms of illness. The mother was informed that the* children wero suffering from influenza. Mrs M'Closkey returned home and went to the funeral ot her child Frank, but when she arrived back again she received the sad news that Daniel had died in the hospital. Subsequently another message was sent announcing the* death also of the girl, Alice. The doctor informed the mother that all tho children were suffering from ptomaine poisoning, but she was at a loss to account for that.