WAITING FOR DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21244, 27 January 1931, Page 12

WAITING FOR DEATH.

DOCTOR’S AMAZING DIARY. AFTER TAKING POISON DOSE. ’ RECORD OF SENSATIONS. An amazing drama of a doctor who, after taking a dose of poison, inoculated two. patients, chatting w-ith his wife, and recorded his sensations 1 during the hour he' was waiting for death, was revealed at an inquest at Brighton, England, on December 3, on Dr Hugh Lonsdale Hands, aged 63, of Brighton. Dr Hands, who formerly practised, was found dead in his surgery. Farewell letters and poison bottles were by his side. A bottle of prussic acid was untouched. Mr Hands, a, son, said his father had suffered from a diabetes gland on the back of his neck for some years. He had financial worries, but he took no one into his confidence. He thought his father took the poison at about 11.20 a.m. He saw two patients afterwards. “At 12.20 p.m.,” he continued, “ I saw him talking to my mother and a man. A few minutes later I went back and found the surgery locked. I heard groans, and broke down the door. My father was sitting dead in his chair.” ~Mr Hands, in reply to Mr W. D. Peskett, the coroner, said he wanted his father’s letters read. ... The first letter ran:—; “ I have taken ioz aconite and loz chloral hydrate. Both nice except tingling. Waiting. Feeling very happy. First time ever felt without worry as if free. Heart must be strong. Won’t give way. Don’t forget to read my articles; it will save life. *, “I am getting tired. It is a long time, so slow. Death is lovely. I feel fine. No pain. I did not tell my wife everything. I did not want to worry her. I feel happy. Pulse still good. Chloral. Feel sick. “Have my vein opened. May find myself alive in the coffin. Terrible thought. God bless you, Evelyn (his daughter). She’ll get on. . . . Do look after her. '“ I await next - manifestation. All this can be published. I believe now in a just God and not in man’s laws. Very comfortable. Half furniture and the piano is Sophie’s (his wife). Pulse still good. All Miss Lamb’s doing.” , CONTENTS OF OTHER LETTERS. Other letters ran:—■ “ 11.30 a.m. —After one: drachm aconite, dose 5m., ditto chloral one ounce, dose 30 grains, 1 feel quite well. Just given Mrs an inoculation. “ Just getting slightly dazed but quite happy. Feel cheating usurers. _ Miss Lamb. What does it matter, this year or next year repairs? Surely I can’t live on. I am comfortable and feel lovely. Just being sick. Must take prussic. Pulsfe good. ■ . . “11.35. a.m. —Hate just given inoculation for asthma to Mr —; —. Have not passed away. Surely can’t live on. Dosage is rot. Took no breakfast. Just shows how useless by stomach are all drugs, all gland and other preparations. “Extraordinary! Pulse running well. Feel fine. When will it all be over? No prussic. _ “P.S.—God seems to be over me. Just leaving for a lovely voyage, but it’s slow. First time without worry. Money is nothing. It is not wickedness.” In a letter to his wife. Dr Hands said; “It 1 is all over.- I am hopelessly in debt. I have tried and tried, but fate is' against me. 1 When 1 I am dead it will b« better for you. You are not responsible for my ■ debts. I have to appear before the registrar at 12 over Miss Lamb’s repairs. My wishes are—no flowers, no funeral or mourning, as what happens to the body matters not. . “My corpse is to be offered to a London hospital for ductless gland research. These are minute glands governing each function and action (good or bad). I feel as if my brain is going. Except for smoking and playing cards (no fishing now), which make me forget, I should have done this before, HOPING AGAINST HOPE.

“I have been so worried, and have not been able to write my hook on modern treatment. Here I am with no fear or dread of pneumonia or any septic poisoning, hopelessly in debt, while the general practitioner and specialist make a fortune —with humbug. " What have I gained from all the • study and research I have done? Nothing. The thought of it sends my’brain racking. I have been hoping and hoping against hope , that one day I might be rewarded. What a hope. : I have gambled (not at Weeks’s—only poker there), and gambled and got more and more into the mire. (Mr Weeks is the proprietor of the Cottage Club.) “ I have come to the end of the tether. I have been told I should make a will With what? Is it not terrible? The whole thing is fate. I have been very moderate. What for? My brain is going. , What the future may be I do not know. As regards the Cottage Club, I had nothing to drink whatsoever. Good-bye, Love.” , . It was stated that death was due to poisoning, and a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned. PNEUMONIA “CURE ” DISCOVERY. Mr Hands stated afterwards that the family would observe his father’s wish and offer his body to a London hospital. His father was an expert in inoculation, and believed he had, discovered a cure for pneumonia. The first chapter of his book on his researches was in proof. Miss Lamb, who is referred to in the letters, was the owner of their house, and there had been trouble between her and his father about redecorations. Dr Hands should have appeared at Hove Police Court on the day of his death with others to answer adjourned summonses for consuming liquor during prohibited hours at the Cottage Residential Club, Third avenue, Hove. Counsel who appeared far him said Dr Hands would have had a complete answer to the allegations against him. Herbert Weeks, the proprietor and secretary of the club, was fined £2O for » aiding in the supply of liquor during prohibited hours. The club was struck off the register and the premises disqualified for 12 months. '