The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-02-11
EATING STRYOHNINE.
Experiences of a Californian in that
Business--W Why and How he Did It.

"A correspondent, over the signature of
''R. B. NJ writes from Gilroy, CAL,
to The New York Druggists Circular
and Chemical Gazette, under date of
December, 1874, the following singular
account of the habit of man well known
by many in that community. The facts
therein stated are hard to believe, but
the truth of them is substantiated by
unimpeachable testimony:
[ relate a circumstance that to me
seems worthy of note, for it is not an
everyday occurrence. [ will mention
the facts and leave you to judge; for
what might seem new and strange to me
may be old and common to you, though
[ have never noticed similar case in
The Circular for the past sixteen years,
or in the other journals which I have
read.
About one year ago 7 was told by
Dr. NJ is man whom he had hnown to
take strychnine as antidote for whiskey
he would take it freely after debauch
of week or twos standing. The guam
tity that he knew him to take seemed
ncredible-namely one drachm bottle
in the space few hours. I tried to be-
ieve it, but it came very hard, until last
week, when this wonderful specimen
paid our town visit. The doctor told
me not to be afraid to give him what he
wanted, which was enough for me. The
man came to the store the next morning
after his arrival, in condition plainly
showing that he had spent whole night
in the faithful pressing of grape juice,
or some other stimulating performance.
He called for bottle of strychnia, which
I gave him; he next desired me to give
him little brandy. [ measured out
two drachms, which he said was enough.
He then produced two needles, about an
inch and half long, with linen thread
attached; and, taking the skin of the
left hand between his thumb and finger,
he requested me to pass the needle
through it, and to wind the thread from
one side to the other. This stopped the
circulation. through the skin tied up.
q here mention it, though I don't see
what effect it could have.) I performed
the same operation upon the other hand,
and all seemed to be in readiness. He
turned out into the palm of his hand
what Eshould judge to be about twenty
grains, certainly not less than fifteen
grains, of the deadly drug-my judg-
ment is that it was fully twenty grains
of strichnia which he placed upon his
tongue and swallowed. Then, as if he
did not get enough the first time, he
turned more out of the bottle into his
mouth-how much I could not see-and
drank the two drachms of brandy. He
stood around for five Or ten minutes, and
requested me to bleed him from the arm,
which ] did. I drew three ounces of
blood, to which he desired me to add
about teaspoonful of brandy. Having
done 50; he drank it, saying that one
drop would deprive me of life, upon
which point [ was satisfied to accept his
word as a sufficient authority. His con-
dition fifteen minutes after the above
operation, and through the entire day,
was remarkable for it's change. He was
quick, cheerful, firm and decided IN his
conversation and actions. He is a man
about 50 years old. He has eaten strych-
mia since 1856. Whenever he felt that his
"drunk' had gone long enough, or that
funds did not permit it to go further, he
would call on q friend for strychnia. This
occurs only four or five times a year now,
as he claims to have fshut down" on
drink very much during the last few
years.