Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-29
THE DRAUGHT FATAL.
Mr.. CHARLES BLUNT DIES FROM THE
EFFECTS or LAUDANUM.
Being Despondcut He Swallows . HALF
Ounce Of the Drug and Dies Within
Fifteen Hours

Mr.. Charles Blunt Is another victim OF
laudanum's fatal work.
He swallowed The contents of o small
vial supposed to have contained about o
half ounce Of the drug yesterday morning,
and fifteen hours later he was cold and
stiff in death.
NJ. Blunt was q carpenter BY trade and
lived with his family on Twenty
eighth street between 7 and 5, Just
a. few squares beyond the corporate
limits. he had been drinking for
several weeks and was very despondent,
having frequently threatened recently TO
take his life. A few days ago be procured
laudanum aud was discovered by his wife
when about to take what would perhaps
have been his fatal draught. She rushed
up TO him and knocked the bottle from his
hand Just before the vial reached his
lips.
THE DRUG PROCURED.
Yesterday morning it is said he compelled
his ffteen-year-old son To purchase more
of the deadly liquid for him, and drank u
before any member of the family could
prevent him. This occurred about .
O'Clock. and although his family realized
that he had taken laudanum. they did not
sufficient to seriously affect him. They.
however, administered emetics such ~
mustard and hot water and walked him
about the yard. hoping to arouse him, but
the stupor which had by this time seized
him became more and more profound.
PHYSICIAN syNT FOR.
Becoming alarmed they sent the vial
over TO neighboring drugstore and IN
auired IL it could contain enough OF the
poison TO kill person, and finding that 1t
| held an ounce when filled-enough TO
cause certain death-they sent out for
physician. DR.. Raymon ID. Garcin, who
| happened to be visiting some patients near
| by. was found and fastened to che house
| but it was then about half-past IL O'CLOCK,
over four hours since the man had
taken the drug. When found, Mr. Blunt
was in state of semi-coma. and DIR:
Garcin Immediately realized the critical
| condition of his patient He straightway
commenced walking him about and tired
| the stomach-pump without avail. lie
| then called DIR. John II. Hinchman to as-
| sst him in the case. and both physicians
made strenuous efforts to save the man.
| Injections of atropine and caffeine. the
| two strongest aptidotes for laudanum pol
soning, were then tried. but without sue
| cess.
COULD NOT AROUSE nrN.
Friends having been called in, the sleep
| ing man was walked, or rather Gregged,
about the back yard of his premises for
| hours. At times he gave signs OF awaking
| from the stupor, though it was evident
| that life was fast ebbing, despite the
| strenuous efforts of those endeavorlng to
rouse him. Hour after hour passed. and
as one set of friends became exhausted N
| their efforts 10 awaken him another would
relieve them.
| As night came on it was weird sight
| TO see the sleeping man being pulled about
| in the moonlight by anxious friends. 4
| large crowd gathered in the yard and
peered eagerly at the struggle so brayely
waged against death by friends OF Mr
Blunt.
HE ONLY MUTTEEED.
During the stupor deceased would occa
sionally give apparent signs Of beinS
aroused, muttering incoherently. but al
wavs again sinking into O comatose state
| He died about half-past 10 O'Clock.
1t is thought by Drs. Garcin and Hinch
man that the deceased must have takei
considerably more laudanum than was a
first supposed certainly an ounce. AM
probably more. His case was. greatly
aggravated by the stimulants which he hat
taken. This, as secondary effect, actet
| with the laudanum, thereby causing
more profound stupor. The atropia an
| caffeine administered az andidotes ar
chemicals which tend strongly TO counter
act the lnudanum and to stimulate AM
arouse the sensibilities.
PERSONAL.
Deceased was a carpenter by trade an
| was engaged in business with his father
Mr.. Robert 2. Blunt. at No. 3o6 nortl
Twenty-6rst street. He was forty-fou
years old, and leaves wife aud seven chill
dren. He is said TO have been naturally o
a rather gloomy disposition.
As the residence Of deceased is Just be
yond the northern corporate limits, tn
Coroner Of Henrico, DR.. A. l.. Leftwich
was notified. and he will view the bod.
this morning. 1t is not yet known whethe
an inquest will be held, but it Is not likel.
that there will be.