POISON BY MISTAKE.
LINIMENT INSTEAD OF COUGH MIXTURE.
On Sunday morning, about 4 o'clock, Henry Pepper, 72 years of age, residing at 42 Ross street, Ravensbourne, took a dose of liniment by mistake, thinking it was a cough medicine. Although he appeared to recover in a few hours, he became worse before mid-day, and was removed to the Dunedin Hospital, where every attention was given to him, but he died on Monday afternoon.
An inquest into the circumstances was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, coroner. Sergeant McCarthy represented the police.
Lawrence Robert Fillingham, seaman, said he was a stepson of the deceased. For some time before his death the deceased had had a cold, and had been confined to his bed with an injury to his side. Deceased was taking a cough mixture prescribed for him by Dr James Fitzgerald. He also had a bottle of ABC liniment, with which he used to rub his side. The bottles were usually kept on the mantelpiece in the bedroom. On Saturday night witness was sleeping with the deceased. About 4 o’clock on Sunday night witness was sleeping with the deceased. About 4 o’clock on Sunday morning witness woke up, and deceased told him he had taken the liniment instead of the cough mixture. A mixture of mustard and water was given to him, and he was sick. Deceased was then put to bed, and the doctor was telephoned for. On the doctor’s advice further treatment was given. Deceased appeared to recover, but about 10 o’clock he got worse. The doctor was telephoned for, and came at once.
Dr James Fitzgerald said that about a week before the happening he prescribed for the deceased a cough mixture and a liniment. When advised early on Sunday morning of the mistake the deceased had made, he gave directions what to do. On receiving another call about 10 o clock he went to the deceased’s residence at Ravensbourne, where he found the man suffering from effects of poison. Witness washed out his stomach and gave antidotes, and then superintended his removal to the Dunedin Hospital. The family had done the right thing, before communicating with witness, in giving an emetic.
Dr Holler, resident medical officer at Dunedin Hospital, said the deceased was admitted to the Hospital at 1 p.m. on Sunday in an unconscious condition. He was treated for the type of poisoning from which he was suffering, and his condition improved, but he collapsed and died suddenly on Monday afternoon. The cause of death was cardiac failure, following on the effects of the poison. He regained consciousness on Monday for a few hours. He complained of pain, but gave no connected account of his condition.
The Coroner said it was evident the liniment had been taken in mistake for the cough mixture. Everything was done for the man, but, unfortunately, without result. His verdict would be that death was due to heart failure, following on poisoning by a liniment accidentally taken in mistake for a cough medicine. -Otago Daily Times, 24/8/1927.
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