FATAL POISONING CASE. Carbolic Acid as a Sleeping Draught, Auckland, April 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 5

FATAL POISONING CASE. Carbolic Acid as a Sleeping Draught, Auckland, April 17.

Last evening a man named William Robert Doyle, 24 years of age, reported to Constable Arthur Dews, Kyber Pass station, that his father, John Doyle, had died very suddenly at 5.30 p.m. Constable Dews at once proceeded to the residence of deceased on New North Road, not far fromj the Rocky Nook Junction, and elicited the following, particulars : — The deceased, John Doyle, was a widower, about 60 years of age, square built, and of a robust appear- | ance. He was discovered about 5.30 p.m. by his daughter, Emily Doylo, lying fon the bed in severe convulsions, and shortly afterwards he died. The constable found deceased lying on the bed with his boots off and his coat thrown over his legs. He noticed a peculiar smell, and upon looking around he discovered a tumbler on the washstand, which contained about a spoonful of a light-looking fluid. Upon smelling the glass, he found the liquid to be carbolic acid. Close by was a two-ounce bottle, which also contained a small portion of a similar fluid. It was labelled :— " Dr. Tennent's Dispensary. Carbolic Acid, Poison. Dose, one drop." He asked tho daughter if she was aware of the acid having been in tho house. She replied that she was not. He detected the smell of carbolic acid at the deceased's mouth. Constable Dews then returned to town, and made inquiries at "Dr. Tennent's dispensary, opposite the Opera House, Wellesley - street, regarding the sale of the poison, Dr. Tennent stated that he had not) prescribed carbolic acid for anyone, and referred the constable to the dispenser, a young man named Amas Firth, who at once recognised the bottle and label, and informed the constable that a man answering the description, of the deceased came to the dispensary about 9.30. a.m. on the 15th instart and asked for a bottle of carbolic acid. He stated that he wanted it for a sleeping draught. Firth informed him that carbolic acid was not used for that purpose, but the man persisted in having it. Ultimately Firth gave the man about 2 ounces of carbolic acid, and wrote the words, "Carbolic Acid, Poison. Dose one drop," on the label. The constable retained possession of the bottle containing the acid, and secured tho room in which deceased lay,

Statement of Deceased's Daughter. Miss Emily Doyle, aged 23 yoars, daughter of the deceased, states that about 9 a.m. yesterday h6r father left his home apparently in good health, for the purpose of going down town. She did not see him again until about 3 p.m., when he returned home. Shortly after coming into the house he went to the back yard to get a smoke. Remaining there for some time, he returned inside and took off his boots, weut into his bedroom and lay down to take a rest. Some time after this, in passing the bedroom door, she heard a noise, as if there was something the matter with his throat. She went into the bedroom, and saw him lying on the bed, clutching his hands. She noticed that his eyes were rolling. She spoke to him, but he did not answer. She then became alarmed, and ran out on the road to obtain assistance. She called in a man named Charles "White, who was passing, but her father never spoke. She could plainly see that he was dying. Dr. Lewis was at once sent for, and was quickly in attendance, but before he arrived her father was dead. Her father had been intemperate in his habits, but she never knew him to have any fits or sickness. She thought he was rather strange that day, as she noticed that when he went into the backyard he commenced to chase the fowls about, and put the dog on to them. Upon nor remonstrating with him for doing so, he replied that it did not matter, as it would be the last time. It is thought that the carbolic acid was taken mixed with rum, as a flask containing that liquor was found in the bedroom. The information of the death was conveyed to the Coroner, who ordered an inquest, which is taking place at the deceased's residence this afternoon.

Amos Firth's Statement. Arnos Firth, assistant at Dr. Tennant's dispensary, states that Doyle has boen there on several occasions. On Thursday he appeared perfectly sober, and was quite merry. He asked for the carbolic acid as a sleeping draught. Firth explained to him that it was not used for that purpose. Doyle replied that as he was commissioned to get carbolic acid he had better get; some. Upon this he! gave him a bottle of acid for which he charged him Is. He took the pre caution to write on the label " Poison, Dose one drop." Doyle asked how much he had to pay, and upon being told drew out a pocket - book, and appeared to make an entry of the amount, Naturally, Mr Firth appears much distressed at the sad event, but states that, of course, he had not the slightest suspicion that Doyle would persist in using tho carbolic as an opiate, As carbolic acid ia not counted amongst the poisons which require to be signed for, Mr Firth states that they are in the habit of selling large bottles for sanitai'y purposes, the only precaution taken being to label the bottle "Poison," as required by the Act. It may be mentioned that carbolic acid is prescribed under certain circumstances, the being three drops. In the present case Firth took the precaution to reduce the dose to one drop, and even then the acid had been diluted, so that had his prescription been followed no dangerous results would have occurred.