OVERDOSE OF MORPHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18994, 16 April 1925, Page 9

OVERDOSE OF MORPHIA.

DEATH OF A CHEMIST. TAKEN TO INDUCE SLEEP. Details regarding the fatal sequel to a dose of morphia were revealed at an inquest held yesterday by the coroner, Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in connection with the death of a chemist, Donald Cameron Hamilton, aged 41 years. The deceased had a pharmacy at 211, Queen Street, and lived at 5, Park field Terrace, Kliyber Pass, although ho often slept on the shop premises. A friend noticed that his shop was not open on Tuesday morning and on making investigations found him in bod in an unconscious condition. Me was removed to the Auckland Hospital, but death took place at half-past four yesterday morning.

John Mark, resident medical officer at the Auckland Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted to the institution at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, suffering from morphine poisoning and unconscious. Artificial respiration was applied repeatedly, and at about 5 p.m. be became conscious" but drowsy. He said he. had had a good deal of worry, so he. had taken about seven grains of morphia. He was not in the habit of taking the drug. Witness remarked that the man's condition was consistent with his statement. . and that seven grains would be 100 much for a sleeping dose in Ihe ease of a, nonaddict. Witness understood he had been suffering from insomnia, lie did not give any indication in his conversation that lie took the, drug with any suicidal intent. The coroner found that death was due to morphine poisoning from an overdose of morphia taken to induce sleep. Mr. Cameron was well known in athletic, circles, having been a prominent football and cricket, player some years ago. Educated at Southland College, he represented that province in both cricket and football, and played wing-forward against Bedell-Sivright's English team in 1908. He came to Auckland in 1919, and though his association with the two sports was a less active one, lie- was a valued member of the T'onsonbv senior cricket eleven from 1920 to 1924. He was also an excellent oarsmen, and was a member of the Awarua four which won the New Zealand championship.

Reference to the death of Mr. Hamilton. who was an All Black in 1908, was made at the meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union last evening. The members stood a:? a. mark of respect, and it was resolved that a letter of sympathy .he sent to the relatives of the deceased.