Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-09
Two Families Poisoned.

WAS THERE ARSENIC IN TEE CREAM CAKES.
Al the meeting of the Board of Health last
evening, DR.. Verdi called the attention of the
board to case of poisoning which he had
been called upon to treat professionally. Last
wednesday, the 9Th inst he was called upon
10 see two gentlemen who were very sick on
Massachusetts avenue, between 18th and 18th
streets. He went there in great haste and
I cold with cold Precipitation standing i'm drops ::
burning sensation in stomach; bloody
mucous substance was .vOmited, and he men
were almost in state Of collapse. He learned
that they had been invited to dinner party
at gentleman residence on 9Th street. where
they were taken i'll after eating and had
persons at the dinner. While the doctor was
ministering to these sick men, the gentleman
at whose house the dinner was given came in
to inquire for DR.. Verdi. He told the doctor
TO hasten to his house where his son and
daughter were very Ill. The doctor gave tue
necessary instructions TO his male patients,
ana went with this gentleman and found the
son and daughter of the host suffering in the
same way as his first patients. The proper
remedies We're applied. and soon the fact was
discovered that eight of the eleven persons who
partoOk OF the dinner were all seized about
the same time and in the same manner. The
symptoms showed that they had partaken of
arsenic or corrosive Sublimate. The doctor
inquired what they had eaten, and found
That boiled kale eaten with vinegar was
a, prominent dish. and he at first thought
The vinegar was the cause, but when he learn
ed that The lady had not partaken of this dish,
he abandoned this theory and on further en-,
quirlng found that all had eaten of cream
cakes or puffs. which had been purchased of
prom lnent baker and cOnfeciOner. He was
obliged to act with great promptneSS to save
these unfOrtunates and after seeing them OUT
OF immediate danger, he secured tile only re-
manning cream cake which he exhibited 10
the Board. He would not mention The name
OF the cOnfectiOner, as he might be an entirely
innocent party, but the facts should be prompt
ly investigated and an analysis made of this
cake to see what poison il contained. The
symptoms pointed to arsenic, and he moved
that committee be appointed to make a
searching investigation and report. Some
discussion followed and the matter was re
lerTed to the food cOmmittee-DrS. Verdi and
Cox. (NO names were mentioned at the meet
ing but 1t appears that the family at whose
house the dinner was eaten. was that of Mr.
COBB. who lives on 9TH street between 0 and Z
SreetS.)
Major j. r. Hanneman subsequently called
on Or. Verdi, and stated that three members
OF ms 1amliY were very sick after eating
cream puffS purchased at Freund's store He
brought sample Of the puffS. The Doctor
found the symptoms of poisoning in this case
similar to those in the other cases and admin
lStered antidOtes.
MIR. Freund contends that there was nothing
wrong with the puffs, and Mr.. HannemanSayS
Il have charged no crminality upon any one
regarding it rather as an accident than other
wiSe.''
Tire cream puffS have been submitted bythe
health board TO the chemist at the Agrcultu-
raj department for analysis.