THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
75 
CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS’ TRADE ASSOCIATION OF 
GREAT BRITAIN. 
At a meeting of the executive committee of the above society, held at Bir- 
mingham on 14th December last, a prolonged discussion took place anent the 
position of the society in regard to opposing the registration of trade marks. In 
consequence of the funds not being adequate to give the necessary security 
required by law on the initiation of legal proceedings in such cases, and the 
members of the society having failed to respond to applications for pecuniary 
.aid, it was agreed not to offer any further opposition to the registration of 
proposed trade marks. 
The other item on the notice paper having an interest for Australasian 
pharmacists was — 44 To consider the advisability of steps being taken by the 
association to amend the Patent Medicine Stamp Acts in such a manner as 
to exempt from liability to stamp duty all medicines the composition of which 
is shown on the label covering them, notwithstanding that they may be 
recommended 4 for the cure or relief of any disorder,’ leaving 4 secret or occult* 
preparations only liable to duty.” A motion was carried affirming the desira- 
bility of endeavouring to have the proposition made law. 
EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF POISONING BY MORPHIA. 
A magisterial inquiry was held in the courthouse, Stawell, on the 12th 
^February, before Mr. B. S. Dawson, J.P., touching the death of a young man 
named Richard Goatley, residing at Wallaloo, aged 23 years. Sergeant Ryan 
watched the proceedings on behalf of the Crown, and Mr. Hardy, of Ballarat, 
attended in the interest of Dr. John Tremearne, of Creswick. 
The circumstances alleged were that Goatley was a patient of Tremearne’s, 
•and received from him a powder purporting to be salicylate of soda, but which 
proved to be morphia. A dose was administered to Goatley by a young brother, 
.and he was shortly afterwards overpowered by the effects of the drug, apparent 
sleepiness being induced. All efforts to rouse the deceased proving futile, Drs. 
£>yme and Fleming, local physicians, were called in, and Dr. Tremearne was 
♦communicated with by telegram. The former detected symptoms of narcotic 
poisoning, and Dr. Tremearne having replied that he might possibly have 
imistaken a bottle of morphia for one containing salicylate of soda, emetics were 
applied, but without avail, and Goatley died shortly before midnight on 
Wednesday. The following evidence was produced at the inquiry : — 
Robert Goatley stated that the deceased was his brother, and that he 
accompanied him to a local practitioner, who stated that he was suffering from 
heart disease. The two then went on to Dr. Tremearne, at Creswick, who 
examined Goatley, and prescribed a powder and two bottles of medicine. The 
witness and his brother then returned to Stawell, and on the following morning, 
according to directions given by Dr. Tremearne, witness gave his brother an 
eighth-part of the powder. The deceased then had breakfast, after which he 
returned to his room, and lay down on his bed. Witness shortly after found 
him in an unconscious sleep, and failing to arouse him, ran for a doctor. Dr. 
3yme came and saw Goatley, whom he roused, his lips being blue and 
projecting. Witness’ sister threw the remainder of the powder into the fire 
