Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-01
A DRUGGISTS FATAL MISTAKE,

A druggists mistake in compromising
prescription caused the fatal poisoning OF
two we'll known young ladies in Hoboken,
N. j., yesterday morning. c. F. Hotz,
millionaire wine merchant, returned with
his family to their home from the Catskils
on Wednesday last. Two of his daughters,
Gretchen Margaret, aged 10 years, and Ella,
aged 16, were indisposed, and DR.. August
Lowenthal, o young physician, to whom
Gretchen was betrothed, was summoned to
attend them, and found them suffering from
malaria. He wrote prescriptions for four
powders of ten grains of quinine each and
had them filled himself at the drug store OF
M. Am. Ende, reputed to be one of the best
druggists in the country. Each of the girls
took one powder at 10 o'clock at night.
When DR.. Lowenthal left for his home about
o'clock yesterday morning, Elias pecu-
liar breathing alarmed her family and they
aroused her with difficulty. She began
vomiting and DR.. Lowenthal was summon
ed. He pronounced her symptoms those Of
poison and Dr. Coward, Of New York, was
telegraphed for. Gretchen exhibited no
unusual symptoms and assisted in work
ing over her sister, making the case
more mysterious. She soon, however,
began to exhibit identical symptoms.
The powder was examined and found
to be morphine, there being enough to kill
several men in each dose. The druggist
was sent for and admitted that lie had
made mistake He then rushed from the
house. Six physicians gathered at the bed
side, doing all possible to revive the victims
without avail, Miss Gretchen dying ut about
eight o'clock. Miss Elias condition is very
critical, and the physicians have little hope
Of saving her.
County Physician Converse and Acting
Chief of Police Edmondson decided to arrest
Am. Ende, the druggist. Detective Gala
CHER proceeded to Am. Fades residence,
where he found him in his private apart
ment, with his arms on table and head
resting in his hands. II have been expect
ing you, he said, aud Suppose You want to
take me to the station house. Well, 90 and
call carriage. 1 am ready" The de.
tective suggested that they would excite
less attention by taking horse car,
and the druggist retired to procure
his hat and coat. When he returned to
the room he abruptly asked Gallagher
"What is the feeling down town? The
officer tried to cheer him by stating that the
public sympathized with him, knowing that
it was an accident on his part. Mr.. Am.
Ende moaned deeply and exclaimed "Oh,
God my heart is broken. Poor Lowen-
thall How can ever look at him or Mr..
Holtz again." A minute or two later he
hurriedly added Il may as we'll tell you
now, l took one of those powders to sec
what it's effect would be-" Thoroughly
alarmed, Gallagher hurried to tho store 10
summon the clerk. AS he went down stairs
he met Mr.. Heinrich Sternberg Of the Stats
Zeitung editorial staff, an intimate friend OF
the druggist, going up. While in the nall.
way Gallagher heard Mr.. Steinburg call for
help, and running back was told that Am.
Ende had taken poison. He confessed that
he had swallowed a dose Of atropia, the
alkaloid obtained from belladoDna. Physi-
clans were hastily summoned, but before
their arrival Ende had become unconscious.
He had taken five grains OF the drug. the
usual dose Of which ranges from / 100 to
1-64th Of u grain. Yesterday evening ne
was conscious, but very low, and his re-
coyery is considered extremely doubtful,
NEW YORK, Sept. Miss Ella lIcHz,
who, with her sister, Miss Marguerite, took
some pills Sunday night in which the drug
gist had placed morphine nsleal Of gninIne,
regained her consciousness last night, but
soon after sank into a.stupor and died. The
druggist, Am. Ende, who took poison when
he discovered the mistake h, hal msdr,
will recover.
Ayers Pills cure headach- b. '".aJriHg
from the system. relieving ;i4e
stomach, and giving healthy acion - Tie