WELLINGTON POISONI G CASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8832, 16 July 1890, Page 3

WELLINGTON POISONI G CASE.

A STRANGE VERDICT. At the inquest on the body of Alice Maud Mary Bennett, who was accidentally poisoned in Wellington, the following is some of the evidence taken :—: — Drs. Kemp, Collins, and Pollen were examined. The latter saw Mrs Bennett immediately after death, and said from the symptoms he observed he was satisfied it was a case of strychnine poisoning. Dr. Pollen was at Fitzgerald's chemist shop when the prescription was being made up, and Fitzgerald drew his attention to the largeness of the dose, but witness replied that it was all right, as the patient had contracted a morphia habit. Later in the evening witness observed Fitzgerald tast- j ing something, and from the conversation which followed he gathered there was a suspicion that a mistake had been made in mixing up what had been sent to Mrs Bennett. Witness gathered from what Fitzgerald said that there was a probability that strychnine had been sent instead of morphia. After procuring a bottle of Hie right solution witness obtained a cab and went off at once to Mrs Bennett's house, and on arrival there he was told that she was dead. Witness was informed Mrs Bennett had taken two spoonfuls from the bottle. W. Skey, Government analyst, said the small bottle marked "half teaspoonful when in pain —Mrs Bennett," handed him by the jioliee contained hydrochloride of strychnine dissolved in weak alcohol and water. Measuring with an ordinary teaspoonful he found the solution contained one grain of strychnine salt. The second bottle from which Mrs Bennett's dose was dispensed by Mr Fitzgerald, labelled " Liquor morph.," contained a few drops of a strong solution of hydrochloride of strychnia. The large bottles (described as AJr Fitzgerald's stock bottles) labelled "Morphia hydro-chlor. B.P. Poison," and "Liq. Strych, hydro-chlor. B.P. Poison," were correctly labelled. He considered that a teaspoonful of any of thes solutions of strychnine would be a fatal do?e to a healthy adult. From the evidence of Mr Fitzgerald and his assistant (Mr Inglis) there waa no doubt that the morphia dispensing bottle had been fil?ed from the liquid strychnine stock bottle, and hence the mistake in making the prescription. The mistake was only discovered by Mr Inglis when about to replenish the dispensing bottle. • Mr Fitzgerald said that on Tuesday night, when he returned from tea, at about 8 o'clock, Mr Inglis, his assistant, informed him that the stock bottle of solution of morphia had never been opened, and as\ed if there was more than one bottle in stock. On referring to the stock-book witress found that there was only one bottle. Inglis then remarked, "I'm afraid Cumberworth has filled this with strychnine," ireaning the morphia dispensing bottle. Witness said, " Good God 1 what put that in your head ? It's impossible 1" Inglis then SB:d " Taste it," and on doing so witness found it was not morph. byd., but thought it might be morph. acct., which waa v -y bitter, and knowing they were very much the tune strength, thought Cumberworth had not been able to find the former and had put the latter into the bott'e. He, however, decided to test it, but the result was neutral, probably owing to the solution being too dilute. The witness then gave evidence similar to Mr Inglis and Dr Pollen as to what was done after this, and continuing, stated that if deceased bad taken the dose prescribed even of the solution of strychnia, it would not have proved fatal. Ellen Pain, said she was the mother of the deceased. Remembered deceased coming to her house —which was next door —on Tuesday evening last about 8.30. Witness aßked her what was the matter, and she said she was so bad. She further stated that she had taken two teaspoonfuls of morphia, and was dying. She (deceased) must look after little Millie. Deceased then asked witness to lead her to her gate as her strength was going, to see if Millie (her child) was there. They went to the gate together, and then came back to witness' house. When they got to the fioit door deceased knocked and said v Alfred, get up, I'm dying." Alfred was her brother. Witness led her inside, and she leaned over her father, who was sitting down, and would have fallen if witness bad not held her, up. Deceased was then seized with convulsions. At deceased's request witness gave her a drink of water with salt in it, but before she could drink it all her" teeth clenched, and they could not get any more down her throat. Deceased got slightly better after this, and with witness' assistance was placed on the kitchen sofa, when the convulsions came on again. She foamed a lot at the mouth after this, and kept saying " Fan me, fan me, for I'm dying," calling for her husband. She had been dead three or four minutes when Dr Pollen came. From the time deceased first came to the house till her death was about half an hour. The inquiry was then adjourned to Tuesday at 9 a.m., to enable the police to find Mr Fitzgerald's assistant, Cumberworth. The inquest was resumed on Tuesday, when the young man Cumberworth, formerly assistant to Mr Fitzgerald, chemist, was examined. He he had no recollection of filling the morphia bott'.e. He had filled a number c£ jars, but could not recollect anything uoout them. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and acquitted everyone of any blame.

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