Death of Doctor Innes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 162, 3 November 1896, Page 2

Death of Doctor Innes.

[By Telegraph.l • [Special to Standard.] Gisborne. This dav. The sudden death of Doctor J.' F. Innes lias caused a most painful sensation throughout the district, where he was greatly esteemed. _ Painful circumstances connected with his death have come to light. Dr. Innes suffered from epilepsy and Bright's disease, and for the hint fewyears has been greatly broken in health. His wife also was an invalid, and yesterday afternoon Dr. Cole was consulted as to her and advised her removal to the Hospital. Dr. Innes seemed greatly upset at his wife s condition, and doubtless her removal aud his own ill-health must have affected his mind, for when Dr. Cole returned to his house a short time after Dr. Innes informed him he had taken strychnine. Dr. Cole took prompt reactionary measures but Dr Innes died in convulsions within a few minutes. The Coroner's inquest on the death of Dr. Innes was held by Mr Booth, S.M., this morning. Dr. Cole gave evidence that while accompanying an injured man to the hospital he called at Dr. Innes' residence to acquaint him of the case. Dr. Innes came out aud examined the man in the cab, and while he was so engaged witness was consulted by friends of Dr. Innes as to the condition of Mrs runes, she being in a critical condition, and it was arranged that she should be placed under the care of the matron of the hospital. I'rom a conversation lie had with the doctor witness withered he was in a very depressed state of mind, and he said lie had been drinking for the last few days. He said lie was sick of the world and asked the easiest way to get out of it. After having endeavoured to cheer him up witness left to get a buggy to go to the Hospital to visit Mrs limes. Witness called in for his instrument ease. Having secured this he proceeded a chain or two when Dr. Innes called him back. He walked towards the surgery and said, "Make it easy for me; I have taken thirty grains of strychnine." Witness told him he didn't believe it, but he took up a small tumbler saying " This is the remains." The tumbler contained a powder, apparently strychnine, which had been mixed with water. Ho then begged for chloriforin and said " It won't be long." Witness at once injected a strong emetic much against his will, as he said he didn't want to recover. Convulsions came on speedily, and he died in one of these. The symptoms were those of death from strychnine. Dr. Innes had been in delicate health for some time past and the witness rather imagined from hi aspect that he had the commencement < f softening of the brain. He did not know whether lie had been in the habit of taking strychnine. He knew he used strong doses of bromide of potassium and other drugs. Later. After hearing further evidence a verdict was returned that deceased's death was caused by either an overdose of strychnine administered by his own hand or by misadventure while in a state of temporary insanity.