DRUGGING BY ASPIRIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19496, 3 June 1925, Page 9

DRUGGING BY ASPIRIN.

COURT MARTIAL ON H.M.S. PHILOMEL. (Pee United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, Juno 2. Tho drugging effects of aspirin, phenacetin, and tho like iveui stressed during a court martial held on board the H.M.S. Philomel to-day, when Sick-bay Petty Officer Stanley Howard Bowen, dispenser on board H.M.S. Dunedin, was tried on a charge that on May 25 ho was incapacitated for duty as tho result of taking a drug. Commander Somerville, of H.M.S. Dunedin, presided, and other members of the court wore Commander Plorder, H.M.S. Veronica, Commander Myles, H.M.S. Philomel, Commander Peters, H.M.S. Dunedin, and Lieutenant-commander Vaughan, H.M.S. Dunedin. Mr James Hosking, barrister, appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Commander-surgeon Richardson, of H.M.S. Dunedin, gave evidence that on the day in cjuestion ho visited tho sick bay which hud been newly painted and varnished witn shellac. Bowen complained of having pains in the chest and sickness. Tho accused was slow in his movements, was slurring in his speech, and evidently had difficulty in talking. Ilis complexion was muddy, his skin moist, his breathing shallow, and his heart, sounds loss frequent than normal. Bowen’s face was immobile. These symptoms, witness considered, could be produced by one of tho tar derivatives such as aspirin, phenaectin and the like, to which accused had access o.s dispenser. Replying to Mr Hosking witness stated that at tho time lie noted down that Bowen had evidently taken something. Bowen’s normal speech was slow, but it was below normal on May 23. Aspirin reacted more quickly on some people than on others. The taking of aspirin would certainly incapacitate tho accused. Mr Hosking; I low many grains of aspirin would be required to render a man incapable of duty? Witness: Aspirin to some people ia_poison, and obviously they can take very little, _ if any. An ordinary dose to an ordinary individual might make another person ill if ho took it. Witness added that ho knew some time ago that Bowen had been taking drugs, and on May 23 Bowen* admitted he had been taking aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine. Mr Hosking: Have you over heard of a single case of drugging with aspirin? Witness. I read of one case. Mr Hoskings: If tho symptoms shown by Bowen suggested poisoning by aspirin would that not make you most careful in your diagnosis, knowing that in your medical career of 25 years you had never had experience of drugging by aspirin? Witness; I do not: know that, it was aspirin. I simply suggest it. Replying to further questions, witness said ho was not aware the painter who varnished tho sick bay floor with shellac had become ill in tho course of his work. A smell of .methylated spirits would bo perceptible in'the varnish Mr Hosking: Are you aware there was a strong smell .of methylated spirits, and that Bowen slept in the sick bay, and was inhaling fumes? Witness; There was very little smell. Witness agreed that the strong vapour of methylated spirits would have an effect on a man of the typo of Bowen, who was not very robust, but ho added that the symptoms would differ from those found in aroused. After hearing further evidence, the court found aroused guilty, and inflicted a penalty of disrating to tho rank of leading sick berth attendant.