RUSSELL DOCTOR'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21276, 1 September 1932, Page 12

RUSSELL DOCTOR'S DEATH

OVERDOSE OF DRUG EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST [ ny telegraph—owN'conitEsroNDENT] RUSSELL, "Wednesday The adjourned inquest concerning the death on July 6 at Russell of Dr. Thomas Tarrant Hoskins was concluded to-night at Russell before the district coroner, Mr. T. J. V. Dunlop. Dr. G. J. Fregley, medical superintendent of the Kawakawa Hospital, said in evidence that on July 6 he went to Russell to attend deceased with Dr.' Chesson and found deceased in a condition consistent with the history of norcotic poisoning. After he left him the patient had a relapse and died. In witness' opinion death was duo to an overdose of veronal. The Government analyst at Auckland, Dr. K. M. GrifTin, stated in his report that tho amount of veronal in the body was sufficient to cause death. Dr. Herbert Chesson, retired medical officer of health for North Auckland, said that on July 3 deceased said that he had taken 80 grains of veronal. Witness treated deceased and removed all drugs. On July 6 witness was called in again and found Dr. Hoskins unconscious. Ho died later. Mrs. Voro Neilson Hoskins, wife of deceased, said that her husband had been taking veronal and on July 3 told her he thought ho had taken too much, and to fiend for Dr. Chesson, which witness did. Witness gave all the drugs to Dr. Chesson, and did not know of any other in the house. In answer to the coroner, witness said that her husband at no time threatened to commit suicide. Her husband had been taking veronal in small doses for years owing to an internal, trouble. The coroner returned a verdict that tile cause of death was an overdose of veronal, self administered while suffering from » dose or doses of the drug.