SUICIDE OF A MEDICAL MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9154, 8 September 1888, Page 5

SUICIDE OF A MEDICAL MAN.

A PAINFUL CASE.

Dr. James Campbell, of Warkworth, committed suicide on Wednesday at his residence at that place by taking a dose of chloroform. He occupied a room at Mr. Ragg's boarding-houpe, and on Wednesday morning his breakfast was taken into his apartment by a member of the family, who found him apparently sleeping ; but between one and two o'clock Mrs. Ragg's attention was attracted by the heavy breathing of the doctor, who was still in bed, and she called for assistance, when deceased's head was bathed, and a shock given him with a galvanic battery, but he died a few minutes later.

The deceased was in the habit of keeping j drugs in his room, and on the table was ; found a bottle which had evidently con- I tained morphine, while the following note, j in Dr. Campbell's handwriting, was also ; discovered :—" Warkworth, September sth, i 1.18 a.m. This is to certify that James , Campbell, M.D., of Warkworth, did on or ; within four hours of above time die. Cause j of death, broken heart, caused by inability i to resist the damned glass. I should there- ; foro advise the jury to state at; once, ' Died i because he was a fool.' P.M. unnecessary, j —James Campbell, M.D. I should like Professor Halford, Melbourne, to have my head if anyone will send it to him. P.S.— , In earnest, if I should be found dead, I have ' died from chloroform administered by self, so do not make any fuss about me.—J.C."

About five o'clock in the afternoon Constable Haddock, of Warkworth, proceeded to Mr. Ragg's house, on hearing of the occurrence. He then saw that the body of deceased was still warm, but rigid, whilst the lips were blue, and the right side of the face nearest the pillow had turned a dark colour. Constable Haddock, having made the usual inquiries as to the circumstances of the case, gave information to Mr. M. Angove, J.P., who conducted an inquest on the body at Ragg's boardinghouse on the following day, when a verdict was returned to the effect that Dr. Campbell died from the effects of poison administered by himself while in an unsound state of mind, the result of excessive drinking.