Oxalic Acid Taken For Sal...
Un iltonday an inquisition was taken before C. J. Jemmett, Esq. at the Crown and Cushion public-house, Bermondsey, on tbe body of MIr. John Bell, late a clerk in the enmployment of IMessrs. Bar. ber, wharfingers, of Tooley.street, vho died on Thutsday last, in consequence of taking oxaiic acid, in mistake for Epson sats. Mr. homs, f Pae's.wak, Brmodse, in wbose house f.'be deceased lodged for the last 14 years, deposed that on the niS'jt of the 8th Instant the deceased came home about half past 10 o'csock; he asked witness's wife for some hot water, which he xaid he wanted forthepurpose of disslving a dose of salts he ishedato take, and which he had purchased that dav. The water was iven to him, and he retired to his bed-roem, adjoining witnrss's. Soon after wimess's wife heard the deceased groaning, and on en- tering his room he appeared to be in dreadful agony writhing about the bed. Witness said, "M1y, God, Bell, what vei O beea taking?" Deccased renlied, "Oh ! I shall die: wbat nave they given me ?" Witnessimmediately went fbr a surgeon, but the de- ceased was quite dead on his return. Robert Craker, a hairdresser in that neighbourhood, deposed, that he had been acquainted with the deceased for the last 14 years. On the evening of the 8th inst. the deceased came to his shop, sat down, and got shaved. He then complained of having a very vio- lent stitch, or c:amp, in his side, and.said that he had taken rhu- barb, but derived no benefit, or alleviation of his pain, from it; that he was then going home early, for the purpose of taking a dose of salts, which he said he had got in his piocket. The deceased then went away. One of the Jurymen asked witnesg, if he perceived any alteration in the deceased's manner or behaviour on that night. USitness re^ plied, that he did not, although the deceased appeared to be labour. ing untder very severe boeiiy pain; yet his mental faculties were not in the slighltest degree affected. kr. Castle, the surgeon, deposed to his hsving examined the boo'y of the deceased, which presented the usual appearance of persca s who died in consequence of taking any active mineral poison. In the room he (witness) observed a tumbler, that deposited a sedi- mert, which, on examination, he found was oxalic acid. A smalL pert on of that active poison also adhered to a piece of paper which was on the drawers. WVitness added, that the deceased must have taken nearly an ounce of the poieon. The Jury here inquired, if the constable, or any of the witnessest. had ascertained at what shop the unfortunate deceased bad re- ceived poison instead of salts. V. Painter, the constable, said that every inquiry had been set on foot by them to ascertain that fact, but they were unsuccessful. Tile Jury reprobated the conduct of apothecaries, through whose negligence, in not properly distinguishing between salts and poison, so many fatal accidents had happened. A verdict of " Deceaset, in consequence of taking oxalic acid in mistake for Epsom salts," was then tecorded. OXA4LIC ciD C'A TAKIN FOR SALTS.