76 
THE AUSTEALASIAN JOUENAL OF PHAEMACY. 
when she discovered its effects on her brother. There was no word “poison” 
on the wrapper round the powder, although the deceased told witness to be 
careful in dividing it. 
"Dr. W. H. Syme deposed that he was called by the last witness to attend 
his brother shortly before ten on Wednesday morning, and was told by him 
what had occurred. He threw some water on his face and roused him. He 
appeared drowsy, and told witness about his visit to Creswick. His pupils were 
contracted, but not much. Witness tasted the powder, which had a pure bitter 
taste, and might have contained morphia. Witness gave orders that the patient 
was not to be allowed to sleep, and went away. He was called a few hours 
after, and found the deceased much worse, as he could not stand. He called 
into consultation Dr. Fleming. About seven hours after taking the powder the 
patient’s respiration seemed to stop, although the heart was beating strongly. 
He kept up artificial respiration until near midnight, when G-oatley died. On 
making a 'post 'mortem examination, in conjunction with Drs. Shuter, Jack, and 
Fleming, he found the body well nourished and free from disease. The 
pulmonary orifices were narrowed, which would account for the murmurings 
heard. Witness believed the cause of death to have been narcotic poisoning. 
Dr. H. H. Fleming gave corroborative evidence, stating in addition, in 
answer to Mr. Hardy, that salicylate of soda was sometimes prepared in such a 
manner as to be very similar in appearance to morphia. 
Dr. John Tremearne, residing at Creswick, related the circumstances of 
Goatley’s visit to him. In making up the powder for Goatley after he had 
examined him, witness took a small bottle out of a chest, and poured out what 
he considered 2 or 3 drachms of salicylate of soda, and showed the deceased 
how to divide it into parts, one of which was to be taken the first thing in the 
morning. He received a telegram from Mr. Goatley, sen., saying that his son 
was insensible after taking the powder. Witness then sent the following 
telegram in reply : — “ Cannot imagine why insensible. Powder was meant to be 
salicylate of soda, but I find there is a bottle exactly similar. Possibly may 
have made mistake.” Acting under legal advice he did not bring the bottles 
with him. 
The depositions taken at the inquest have since been forwarded to the 
Crown Solicitor, who has referred the papers to the police with directions that 
a prosecution should be instituted in the usual manner. Proceedings will* 
therefore, be taken against Dr. Tremearne. 
POISONING BY TINNED FISH! 
To the Editor of the Australasian Journal of Pharmacy . 
g IE) — a. very singular case is reported from South Australia, which looks like 
an analytical error, and is, in any case, a gross act of presumption and an injustice 
on the part of a public and irresponsible board. 
Certain persons were taken ill after having eaten some tinned fish. It was 
assumed that the fish were the cause of the indisposition. It was therefore sent 
for analysis. The analyst reported that it “contained” large quantities of oxide 
of tin, amounting to \ gr. in a tablespoonful of fish, and also traces of lead 
(“ contained,” not yielded). He considered that these compounds might have 
been formed either by carelessness in using “spirits of salt” for soldering the 
tin, or by the action of the contents of the tin on the solder. 
