The Brighton poisoning case.

Date:: [1859?]

Credit: The Brighton poisoning case. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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$cankered and ulcered, and that, she could not get well. From that day until the day of her death, 1 was not absent from the house more than one hour. Dr. Kingconstantly waited upon her, and said frequently, '• I would give any other patient. Annie, more of this medicine than you. I saw the Doctor give medicine to my daughter after the visit of Dr. Fife, the evening before her deatlh He brought something in a tea-cup, and said Here's Dr. Fife's good medicine, Annie. He told me to mix it with some water, and give it to her. She did not take it—she put a little on the end of her tongue, and said it was so fiery that she could not drink it. This was about eight o'clock. About an hour after the prisoner brought some of his own medicine. It was in a spoon —mixed with water. It caused vomiting, and her father, who was there, said she could not live ; and that he must have a jury of doctors. He urged upon the prisoner to send for more physicians. About twelve o'clock he sent for Dr. Fife. My husband went for him, but found he had gone to Colborne. When my husband came back, my daughter was very ill. She had got into such a state that she could not drink. Her father wanted Dr. Gross. King said he knew what Gross would give her—ppium. or camphor, or something of that sort, Father asked, would it ease her ; and King said it would. He t hen asked his wife if she would take it. She said she would if it would do her good. He then went to his office and fetched something in a spoon. [He always mixed the medicine in the office.] Annie took it, and soon after wanted to vomit. He held her down on the bed, by putting his hand on her shoulder. She said, '-Oh, oh. I cannot, I cannot, I am dying. He said— Keep it down. Annie. She vomited on the bed linen something of a greenish hue ; with little pieces of skin in it. When she vomited, the Doctor said— Now she lias thrown it off--she may have a little on her stomach, but it will not do her any good she must have some more.' Father said— Give her very little. Yes. said the Doctor, I will not give her a quarter what Dr. Gross would give her.'' He went away and brought back about as much as he had given ber before. He gave her the medicine, and Annie was going to sleep. I asked if she felt better ; she said she did. She went to sleep, and did not «vake again. ?? I recollect finding a likeness in the coat pocket of the prisoner. I did not tell him that it had been found ; I said it Lad been so rumoured, and he denied having such a likeness. The coat hung in his wife's room, and was one he usually wore. The likeness produced is that of Miss vandervoort. I have often conversed with King respecting the pregnant state of his wife. He said she was ulcerated. She had a child about twelve months after her marriage I a-ked him what made some black spots ou her under- clothes. He said it was iron in her blood, that her blood was in a ver\ state, and told me that I ought not to wash them, but to burn them, as, if I had a cut in my hand, I might get poisoned. Cross-examined—She complained of pains as if she was in labour, only after she was taken sick. She did not complain of severe pains only when sick. She complained of pain after having an injection. Sue was troubled with discharges of a copious nature. About three weeks before she was taken ill, she was alone at my house, and told me that her husband had paid her womb was ulcerated and in such a state that she might drop off in the night, and he being alone with her. it might be considered strange. He had told her to tell me this, she said I recollect some conversation taking place about Dr. Fife examining her. She asked what was the use. She did not positively decline. She did not decline. She said. '• William Henry, you know what is the matter with me—why send for Dr. Fife?'' Dr. Fife examined her. but only her tongue. I remember my daughter falling from the buggy ; she did not fall on her head. She thought she did, but the Doctor said—Oh, no; it was only my arm, Annie. She was not unwell after it; she drove down to Consecon the 6ame day. The Doctor administered rredicine four or five times$

The Brighton poisoning case.

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