The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-10-18

Coroner's Inquest Letter and Notes of
OF the Morphine the
Poison.

Poison.
An inquest into the death of the late
Israel Fisher washeld by Coroner David
Dayton, Deputy Marshal, on Saturday
afternoon. The following were the
jury: Henry j. Hart, c. Vlbrans, Geo
Engelhardt, Henry f. Devoll, John
Magoon, James Welsh Only two or
three witnesses were examined and the
following verdict was rendered: "That
Israel Fisher came to his death the
I4th day of October, 1886, by taking
some unknown poison from some
source obtained unknown to us outside
of the dispensary of the Branch Hos
pital, as extra precaution had beer
taken by the Sisters aud medical
attendant to guard against any such
casualty"
DR.. Trousseau believed throughout
that opium was the poison used, but,
as it would cost $500 to make the
necessary post mortem and analytical
examination, that matter was allowed
to rest on opinion as being of only
secondary importance.
Fisher had told Mr.. Dayton Of two
unsuccessful attempts to take his own
life, saying that he would yet succeed,
when he would leave an explanation.
Among his papers has been found
description of the first attempt, giving
details Of symptoms from hour to hour
after taking the dose. This may be Of
value to medical men.
The deceased, according to his word,
left the following explanation
BRANCH HOSPITAL, Sept I, 1886.
ain order that there may be no mis-
apprehension in regard to this course
that | have taken / will explain. In
latter part Of last October, 1885, w.
M. Gibson, President of Board of
Health, etc, came to my house with
the kind tidings that he would put me,
]. Fisher, under DIR. NJ Goto's treat
ment for the leprosy, for which l
thanked him very kindly and promised
to adhere strictly to the doctors direc-
ton. at that time weighed about
1870 lbs. now at this writing Septem-
Der Ist, 1886, weigh 100 pounds, have
made splendid progress in these ten
months and upwards under the doctors
treatment Through some slight mis-
understanding between us, through
small surgical operation performed on
me preparatory to my discharge from
this Leper Hospital, it appears that he
took slight ofense at some remarks
that had made in regard to putting
me in pretty good shape for my depart
ure, as he the doctor deserved for what
he had done for me and others. AS |
had often remarked to DIR. Goto, that
as for my life | did not consider it
worth living for, after having been dis
charged from leprosy hospital. Peo-
pie naturally would shun me through
fear that merely went through this
ordeal for him, as he deserved great
credit For what he had done for me
and others here, he certainly has done
wonders at this Branch Hospital.
Things are quite the reverse from what
writer in Tuesdays Gasette represents
things here If it would not be too
much trouble for the writer to call in
here and judge for himself 1t appears
that DR.. Goto had made the remark
about myself, that persons that spoke
about such things, as it being immater-
ial whether they lived or not, was all
bosh. / merely wish to show the doc
tor that what have said to him at any
time was truth, which pride myself in.
81 remarked to the doctor about
eight or nine days ago, the last time /
spoke to him until to-day, that if he
did not finish the operation that he
commenced upon me, that | would not
leave the hospital and so before the
world, and that wished he would fin
ish the operation. Upon the foregoing
conversation the doctor did not come
near me for eight or nine days. Hence
wish to bring my word true.
I'm acknowledgment of my kind
treatment here, Il must say that the
Sisters and W. M. Gibson have been
very kind to me here.
"To whom it may concern, most
respectfully,
"IsRAEL FISHER"
The foregoing letter was contained
in an envelope, superscribed as follows
"Explanation-To whom it may con
cern-As near as | can remember
l. f."
In Fishers note book the following
entries occur
Sin Morphine pamphlet, page "a
large doses the highest 7a grains pei
day. How is this for high9'
September I, 1886. Taken dose
No 2. My acknowledgment is due
the Sisters at Kakaako, also Mr.. Glib
son, for kind treatment. My acknowl
edgments are also due Walter Hill anc
Robert Grieve for newspaper favors
My mind has been much disturbed
within the last two weeks, 7 p, M
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