A DEADLY MEDICINE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1935, 17 March 1875, Page 4

A DEADLY MEDICINE.

The evidence given before a recent inquest at Manchester deserves attention, as proving the great danger attending the use of certain drugs that have come into fashion touring late years. A man named Alfred Holme, being troubled with some sort ©f Bervous headache, was recommended' by a friend to try hydrate of chloral as a "remedy. Following this foolish advice, he sent for a 6oz. bottle of the compound, and within twenty-four hours he was dead. According to the medical evidence, the man's death was syncope cordis, produced by the action of the hydrate on a week heart. The doctor who gave this testimony also stated that dydrate of chloral is very little understood even by medical men, he himself being ignorant as to whether its effects are cumulative. This allegation of general want of knowledge regarding the power of the medicine was corroborated by the chemist who sold the dose to the dead man. Yet, although it was his opinion that the hydrate of chloral ought not to have been given except under medical advice, he appears to have made little inquiry when making up the prescription brought, to him by Holme's daughter, a little girl about eight years of age. As the bottle contained 66z., while the label directed a tablespoonful to be taken every two hours, the unfortunate man was virtually instructed that he might with safety drink within every four-and-twenty hours, what was almost certain to kill 1 anyone with a weak heart. • The sad results following the use of the medicine in this case will, it is to be hoped, render hydrate of chloral and similar strong physic less fashionable. Unless perfectly Acquainted with their constitutions, people who fly to these remedies for relief may inadvertently be running the risk of death.