VICTIM OF DRUGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11046, 1 November 1921, Page 7

VICTIM OF DRUGS

NEW ZEALAND DOCTOR A TBAGIO ENDING TO A MOST NOTABLE CAREER DEATH IN LONDON. LONDON, September 2ff. At the inquest into the death, of Dr Richard William Alien to-day, Lhtf coroner, Mr A. D. Cowbnrn, emphasised the lamentable tragedy that must folloW the acquirement of the drug habit. Ttf Allen was found in a state of coma at his house in Harley street, and he snto sequeAtly died from what now has been proved to be an overdose of morphine) He was born in Auckland in 1876, and was educated at Auckland University College and Grammar School, eventually taking his M.A. degree. He studied medicine in London, and took his M.D.degree, besides which he was gold medallist of the Universitv of London, and Gull Scholar of Guy’s Hospital. His medical career had been a notable one. From the evidence at the inquest it appears that his practice in Harley street was successful. Mrs Allen said her hu» band had served in the R.A.M.C. dun ing th.“ war, but had -'been invalided ont cm Account of a nervous breakdown. She did not know he was addicted to the drug habit, though lately he had got thinner. He was sober, and .had no finanevj worries, and he had. never suggested suicide. The evidence disclosed the fact that the coroner’s officer found in a drawer in the , bedroom three hypodermic syringes and a number of small bottles. The senior official analyst of the Home Office, who examined certain of the organs of deceased, stated he had found a quantity of morphine present. Dr Wainwright stated -that there were marks on the body showing the constant use of the hypodermic syringe throughout a considerable period of time. In giving his verdict, the coroner said it was clear that the death of deceased bad been brought about by a dangerous narcotic drug, and be was of .opinion that the evidence adduced showed that it was self-administered- Hp had further to determine whether deceased took his own life or not- It did not appear that he had ever threatened to take his life, and there did not seem any reason, for his so doing. On the contrary, there was evidence that deceased had determined to seek a change in the country. He appeared to be pursuing his calling up to the time of his death- The evidence of the housekeeper showed that toe deceased was suffering intensely from neuritis. From independent evidence given regarding the marks of the hypodermio syringe, and the emaciated condition of deceased, there oould be no question that; he had been practising the fatal habit tor a very considerable period of time. The morphia habit was only too easily aoquirsd, and) its danger could not he too greatly emphasised) The inevitable result must be the progressive degeneration of the mind and body, leading lo the reckless carelessness -which was fatal. The only comment he had to make on. the present case, was that it -was indeed melancholy that a career which at its beginning was so’full of bright prodpeots should have terminated in this way. He must find that deceased met his death from misadventure through an overdose of morphine self-administered. Dr Allen, who married in 1909, leaves a -widow and three children.