DEATH-BED DIARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17433, 4 December 1930, Page 13

DEATH-BED DIARY

DOCTOR’S AMAZING ACT SENSATIONS DESCRIBED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Receive J ’ Dec. 4. 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. A remarkable diary describing bis own slow death from poison, left by Dr. Hugh Lonsdale [lands, aged 03 years; tin inoculation expert, of Brighton,' was pl'oilucefi at' an inquiry at which a verdict of suckle while of unsound mind was returned.

Entries were malic in bold handwriting as follows: “Taken half'ail ounce of aconite, and an ounce of chloral hydrate. Both were nice. Exept for a tingling, waiting feeling I am happy. “ It is'tlie first time I have ever felt without worry, ns'though free. My heart must"bo strong. .It won’t give way. It is n long time; so slow. The Japs are right; death is lovely. I feel fine. There is no pain.

“1 have not told any ’wife everything, as I did not; want' to worry her. I feel sleepy, but' my pulse is still good. Please have toy vein'opened. I'inay li’nd myself a like in' a coffin. It is a terrible thought. “X await the next manifestation. I believe now in a just G6d, and not mail’s laws. Jam very comfortable. “Half the furniture and the piano to my wife. '[TilstY still good; jtist' getting slightly dazed. Quite happy; Surely I cannot live on. “lam comfortable. Have just been sick. Alust take’ prussic. Pulse good. ’ ’ There followed other technical comments, then: “Extraordinary ! Pulse running well. 1 feel fine. When will it all be over?” Then finally.: “God .seems to.be over me. lam just leaving for a lovely voyage, but it’s slow. For the first time I am without worry; money is nothing.” The evidence showed that the doctor saw two patichits after taking the poison. A letter to his wife said he was heavily in debt. 'llc asked what there was to be gained by all the study and research. The answer was “Nothing. Meanwhile general' practitioners have made fortunes out of huinbug.’'’