Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-11-08
A DRUG CLERKS FATAL
MISTAKE.
A Martins Ferry Lady the
Victim.

Our readers will remember that two weeks
since we announced the sudden death Of Mrs
James Gray nee Dubois, of Martins Ferry.
On the occasion Of the funeral and even at
the grave it was talked about by the friends
Of the deceased that she had been the victim
of a terrible mistake, but steps were taken to
keep the matter from the public prints. Al
though we have been aware of the circum-
stances since the day of the funeral, in defer
ence to the wishes Of some of the friends OF
the deceased we have made no public mention
of it until now. The circumstances of the
sad affair are about these:
Mrs. Gray had been in ill health for sone
time, but under the care Of DR.. s. B. vii.
liams she had been improving and derived
especial benefit from a recent prescription
which she had been taking. On the evening
of her death, the 23d of October, she inform
ed her physician that the medicine was ex-
hausted, and he ordered the prescription re-
filed. A messenger was dispatched to Jor-
dams drug store, and the medicine bottle was
returned filed. The usual dose was taken
about eight O'Clock in the evening. Shortly
after Mrs. g. complained Of burning pain in
her stomach, and remarked to her attendant
that she had been poisoned. Upon this an
nouncement DR.. Capehart and other physi-
clans were Immediately summoned and ad-
ministered the proper antidotes, but it was Of
no asail. Four hours after she tosk the fatal
dose she was corpse, having undergone ill
the misery and agony that could be crowded
into that many hours. An investigation evil
denced the fact that the druggist while filing
the prescription took up the jar containing
aconite, deadly poison, instead Of the buchu,
which was IN a bottle near by. The accident
is a peculiarly sad one. The gentleman who
made the dreadful mistake has the reputation
of being an excellent druggist and exemplary
citizen, and is relative of the husband of the
deceased.
1t is said that just before the death of the
unfortunate lady she was easier for moment,
and recognizing the cause of her suffering,
she asked Of her relatives not to blame the
druggist for his sad mistake.
Thus the matter stands, and the question
what is proper to be done by the authorities
is the one which should now receive ccnsid-
Grafton. 1t is said that the gentleman who
made the mistake 10 almost beside hiEself
with grief at the result Of bis negligence.
Could his grief restore 10 friends the dead
daughter, wife and mother, it would avail.
During the last two years this is the second
mistake by druggists in Martins Ferry, which
has caused death. In the other instance .
child was the victim OF the dreadful torture
of druggists error.
In New York State prisons there are six
drug clerks serving out terms Of imprison-
ment for granddaughter, the offence being
criminal carelessness in preparing prescrip-
tions.
The law seeks to protect the living, and in
this view of the case it might be well that
some action be taken on such cases as will
impress more deeply upon the minds Of men
who deal with human life, the importance of
vigilance and absolute correctness In the mat
ters entrusted 10 them.