METHYLATED SPIRITS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 15 May 1912, Page 8

METHYLATED SPIRITS.

CAUSES A WOMAN'S DEATH, BY TELEGRAPH—FRESS i SSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. At the inquest on Helen Escomb, aged 38, who died in a lavatory on Sunday night, Dr Irving said that there were methylated spirits in the.stomach, and the organs were in a degenerated condition. There was a mark of a blow on the chin. The blow might have been sufficient to cause death. Frank M. Escomb, husband of the deceased, said that he had been drinking methylated spirits with his wife because it was cheap. They quarrelled on Sun r day. but he did not strike her. He found her on Monday in the lavatory dead. Detective Gibson said that he found the body on the floor, wedged firmly between the walls. The Magistrate said that the sale of methylated spirits should be stopped, because of the prevalence of its use as a drink. The inquest was adjourned until tomorrow.