THE MISADVENTURE AT DEBORAH BAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11808, 10 August 1900, Page 8

THE MISADVENTURE AT DEBORAH BAY.

An inquest on the body of Charles J. Brown was hold at Deborah Bay yesterday afternoon, before Mr C C. Graham and a jury of six. After the'jury had viewed the body, the following evidence was taken: —

Margaret Mary Nelson deposed: I am the wife ot Edward George Nelson, fisherman, and reside at Deborah .bay. 1 was attending on deceased, who was a fisherman. He was suffering from a bad attack ox rheumatism. Dr -Borne had been attending him, and prescribed medicine to be taken internally, and also a liniment for outward application.- Deceased was wandering in his mind. At 1.30 p.m. of Tuesday, 7th mst., I had occasion to give him his medicine, and by mistake gave him a dessert-spoonful of the liniment instead of the medicine. Immediately after he had taken it I discovered I had given him the wiong medicine, and before he had swallowed all I gave him some salt and water, which did not act. I then gave him two packets of Epsom salts, and sent for medical aid. Dr Hodges shortly afterwards came, and used all means to restore deceased, but he did not appear to get any better, and died at 9 a.m. on the Bth inst. Dr Hodges'stayed some hours with. him. After the doctor left Mr Tuimage came out, and attended to Brown, Mr Tunnage and witness v/ere present when deceased died. The bottle of liniment (produced) was marked, " Caution--not to be taken," and is the one I took the spoonful out of. The bottle had been shifted, and that caused the mistake.

John Tunnage, fisherman,, identified the body of deceased as Charles J. Brown. Witness was called by Mrs Nelson about fe.3o a.m. of the 7th inst. He found deceased ill in bed. Mrs Nelson was giving him brandy and water in a spoon. Witness remained until 7.30 a.m. on the Bth. The deceased was very bad until about half-past 12 of the 7th, and then seemed easier until 5.30 a.m. of the Bth, when an injection was administered. When witness left there was no sign of improvement. The deceased was unconscious the whole time. Witness had known deceased all his life.

Edward George Nelson deposed that lie knew the deceased, Charles Brown, whose ago was 59 years. He was a native of Jersey, a widower, without family. Deceased called "at witness's house on Thursday, the 2nd inst., and remained there. He was attended oy Dr Borrie, and after the misadventure by Dr Hodges. Witness sat up with him the night before he died. Witness was in the room when Mrs Nelson gave deceased the wrong medicine. She afterwards gave him salt and warm water, which had no effect, and the doctor was sent for. Witness had known deceased 17 years. He was in poor circumstances. His wife died about two yeai-s since. The only property they had was a'boat, and a subscription was raised to bury the poor woman. Dr G. Hodges deposed that at 2 p.m. of tbe 7th he was called to attend deceased, who was in bed when witness saw him at 2.30 p.m., being unconscious and breathing heavily. Witness was informed he had taken a dessertspoonful of belladonna liniment. He presented the usual symptoms of poison. Witness gave emetics, which deceased was unable to swallow, "and administered antitodes and the usual stimulants, with very little effect. He had him walked up and down, and after an hour or two he showed signs of recovery, and could swallow a little. Witness gave instructions for further treatment, and left at 0.30 p.m. The cause of death was belladonna poisoning. Deceased had symptoms of heart disease. Nothing else could be done for him. Mr and Mrs Nelson did all in their power for him.

The Jury found " That the deceased, Charles J. Brown, died at Deborah Bay on the Bth August, the cause of death being from a dose of belladonna liniment inadvertently administered in place of the proper medicine, which the jury considered a pure accident, and that no blame is attached to Mrs Nelson, by whom the medicine was given."