The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-07-13
DRUGGED To DEATH.
Fatal Error By a Drug Clerk-A Lady
Poisoned from Solution Of Opiam-A
Shocking Bitader

Another fatal error has been made
by drug clerk, by which lady nam
ed Mrs. John T. Barnard, the wife of
an estimable citizen, lost her life. This
is the second or third case in which
the error of drug clerks has resulted
in the death of the patient in Brooklyn
within the past year or two. Mrs.
Barnard, the present victim, who resid-
ell 1T the corner of Rverson street and
Gates avenue, was afflicted with alb
dominal pains ON Thursday, and the
family physician, Dr. Joseph G. Hut
Gibson, of Clinton avenue, was called
in to prescribe. The doctor wrote
out a prescription for two ounces of
the tincture of opium, tablespoonful
of which was to be taken every hour
for three hours in glass of ice water,
when it was believed relief would be
obtained DR.. Hutchison requested
that the prescription for the drug
should be taken to Mr.. Cliffs drug
store, at the corner of Vanderbilt and
Fulton avenues. The store was visit
ed by one of Mr.. Barnard's family,
but it was found to be closed, and the
person then proceeded TO the pharmacy
of w. l.. Gore, at the corner of Fulton
and Washington avenues. AS it was
about midnight, this place was also
closed, but the night-bell was answer
edGE Robert Weyh, one of tile clerks.
The.clerk Immediately proceeded to
put it up; but, Notwithstanding the
fact that it was plainly written, he
mistook it, and put up solution of
opium instead of the tincture, as pre-
scribed The messenger returned
home with the drug, and it was adj
ministered as directed by the physician
three teaspoonfuls in three hours, in
ice water. Mrs. Barnard fell into Il
state of stupor, in which she remained
until Friday afternoon, when she died
from the effects of the poison. When
the family found that it was impossible
to rouse Mrs. Barnard from her stupor,
DR.. Hutchison was again summoned
to her bedside, and, together with DIR.
A. D. Wilson, did all in their power
to save the life OF the p tent, but their
efforts proved unavaiiing, and the fami-
ly were thrown into the greatest grief
by the untimcly Heath of the lady,
through the terrible laundering of the
clerk
Mr.. Barnard, husband Of the de-
ceased, is we'll known coal dealer on
Fulton avenue, and the unfortunate
case has created considerable excite
ment in the locality in which they re
side. When DR.. Hutchison discover
ed the mistake, lie proceeded to the
drug store and requested to see the
prescription 1t was as followeds
r. Tinct Opii Compt. (Squibb,)
3 OF.
S. A teaspoonful every hour, in
ice water.
The following colloquy then took
place between the doctor and the
clerk:
DIR. Hutchison-This is marked
"Tincture opii compositus.' 1t is
made up liquor opii. How did that
occur?
The Clerk-Didn't you mean liquor
opii?
DIR. Hutchison-I meant exactly
what plainly wrote down.
The Clerk-I first thought it was
intended for paregoric, then for camp
horated extract of laudanum.
DIR. Hutcliison-Yo our mistake has
proved a very serious thing for a lady |
who is now probably dying from hav-
ing taken the prescription you sent.
The tincture of opium is what is al
most universally known as Squibbs'
cholera mixture. 1t Is entirely efec
tive and customary and safe for such
as that with which Mrs.
Barnard was taken. Liquor opii, the
solution of opium, is very different
hing as to its strength, beng many
,imes more powerful. The name
tSquibbs" in the right-hand corner of
The paper indicated that the or
linary cholera mixture of that gentle
nan was intended explicitly, and the
directions underneath indicated equal
Y explicitly exactly what was wanted,
hat being the directions in pursuance
# which the medicine is given.
The clerk issa young man who has
,een in the employ of MIR Gore for
he past three years. He says he ISL
is always careful in nputtingl