ACCIDENTAL POISONING
A TRAGIC MISTAKE.
James Hanker Wilson Crosbie, a young man, a bank clerk, residing in Stafford street, met his death yesterday through accidentally taking a dose of A.B.C. liniment in mistake for some medicine he was using. Dr Strain was summoned quickly, but despite all that could be done the unfortunate sufferer died some time after his removal to the Dunedin Hospital. An inquest was held by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M, (coroner) in the afternoon, when Dr Strain stated that the A.B.C. liniment contained aconite, belladonna, and chloroform. The antidotes for belladonna are not such as are generally carried about by doctors, but are usually kept only at hospitals. For aconite poisoning Dr Strain said there was no antidote. Had the liniment been taken on a full stomach he did not think it would have had much effect, but on an empty stomach aconite and belladonna were deadly.
William Elder Duncan, bank clerk, identified the body of the deceased as that of his brother-in-law, James Harker Wilson Crosbie, 25 years of age, also a bank clerk. Deceased was troubled somewhat with his stomach. Witness last saw him alive on Tuesday night, when he was in his usual health. So far as witness knew the deceased was not depressed. He had been married only in July last.
Iris May Crosbie, wife of the deceased, said that about three weeks ago deceased got some medicine for stomach trouble. At the same time she get some liniment to rub on his neck and relieve pain there. The bottles were of the same size, and the contents were of much the same colour. The bottles were not the same in shape and the liniment bottle had “poison" marked upon it. At 7 a.m. she got up to put on the kettle, and while she was away she heard deceased go to the bathroom. He was vomiting, and when witness asked him what was the matter he said he had taken a dose of the liniment in mistake for the medicine. Witness went to Mr Wren’s (another flat in the same building) and got Mr Wren to summon a doctor, and Dr Strain arrived about half an hour later. Pending his arrival witness administered warm salt water.
Dr Strain stated that when Mr Wren summoned him he explained what deceased had done. Witness had to dress, as he was in bed when he received the message. On arrival he found deceased in a semi-delirious state, groaning, and retching. The two bottles were together by the bedside. The liniment was A. B. C. liniment — a favourite liniment. The symptoms of the deceased corresponded to belladonna and aconite poisoning. Witness saw that the case was one for hospital treatment, and asked Mr Wren to summon a taxi. Deceased’s stomach was quite empty when witness got to the house. He administered an injection of strychnine. There was nothing else he could do at that time. He did not anticipate that the case would end fatally. He did not see the deceased after his admission to the Hospital. He would say that deceased died from aconite and belladonna poisoning. Dr Strain indicated the actions of these poisons, and said that had the deceased taken the liniment on a full stomach it would probably have had no fatal effect.
Allan Bruce Roy, house physician at the Hospital, said he saw the deceased, when he was brought in at 8.15 a.m. The symptoms were those poisoning from aconite and belladonna. Deceased was seen by Dr Whyte, and under his direction witness administered appropriate remedies. He gave stimulants, first trying brandy, which the deceased could not swallow, and then administering strychnine and an emetic hypodermically. After the removal of the sufferer to the ward he administered pillcarpine, an antidote to belladonna. Witness made an attempt to wash out the stomach, but could not get the tube down, the entrance being contracted, probably owing to the spasms. Witness tried artificial respiration for half an hour after the deceased stopped breathing. From the symtoms he would say that the deceased died from aconite and belladonna poisoning.
Evidence was also given by James Wren.
The Coroner said the evidence made it quite clear that the unfortunate young man made a tragic mistake, taking a dose of liniment in mistake for a dose of medicine. He returned a verdict that deceased met his death by accidentally taking liniment containing aconite and belladonna, and expressed sympathy with the widow and relatives. -Otago Daily Times, 19/2/1921.
IN MEMORIAM.
CROSBIE. — In loving memory of James Harker Wilson Crosbie, who departed this life on February 18, 1921.
He left his home in health and strength, No thought of death was near;
He had no time to say farewell, To those he loved so dear.
Short was the call he had from above, Not a word to his loved ones could say;
His eyes closed in death, with thoughts of home, He silently passed away.
— Inserted by his sorrowing grandmother and uncles.
CROSBIE. — In loving memory of my pal Jim, who passed away at Dunedin on February 18, 1921. “To memory ever dear.” — Inserted by his loving pal Wally. -Otago Daily Times, 18/2/1922.
IN MEMORIAM.
CROSBIE. — In fond and loving memory of James Harker Wilson Crosbie, who departed this life at Dunedin on February 18, 1921.
If we had known when last we lightly parted, That during life our hands would clasp no more,
That each who said farewell so cheerfulhearted, Would find the grief the future held in store.
How different would have been our solemn parting, From that which only said a brief adieu;
How would the tears of mutual sorrow starting, Have dimmed each fleeting moment that we knew.
— Inserted by his loving grandmother and uncles.
CROSBIE. — In fondest memory of my pal Jim, who died on February 18, 1921. "Ever remembered.” — Inserted by his loving pal Wally. -Otago Witness, 20/2/1923.
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