The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-13
POISON KILLSDR. A.H.GARDNER
HE SENT FOR PRUSSIC ACID AND
TOOK TOO MUCH.

He Died Instantly-POison IL Used In the
treatment OF Chronic Bronchitis
From which He Suffered - Had
Been Successful in His Practise.
Or. Arthur H. Gardner OF $40 Madison
avenue. a young physician whose future,
according to his friends, seemed particularly
promising, was found dead in his apart
Inents at that address yesterday morning
It Is almost certain that his death was
caused by prussic acid. which in very
dilute form is sometimes prescribed for
chronic bronchitis and incipient tubercu-
losis. He had purchased a solution OF the
acid Just before going to bed. His friends
believe that he took an overdose OF 1t &C
cidentally
Or. Gardner was 81 years old. He was
born in Springfield, Mass, was graduated
from the College Of Physicians and Sur
gcons in 1903, spent year studying in
Germany and then for two years was house
physican OF the German Hospital. He
had also been attached to the Presbyterian
Hospital and the Vanderbilt Clinic. He
made obstetrics his speciality, and his sue
cess for a young physician is described as
remarkable.
For some time. according to his friend,
Or. Walter L. Niles, who had an Office In
the same house, DR.. Gardner had been
much troubled about his health. Early in
the spring he suffered great deal from
sciatica and took morphin to ease his
suferings. He had been practically cured
of this trouble and had left off the morphin
He had what was diagnosed as chronic
bronchitis and was afraid Of tuberculosis
n Gor fpor who
lived in the same house in which they had
their offices, spent Sunday evening together
Dr. Niles left DR.. Gardner about 10 o'clock
to go to bed All that time DR.. Gardeners
cough was giving him some trouble
Yesterday morning he did not appear for
breakfast, and DR.. Niles went to his room
and found him lying dead in his nghtclothes
on the outside of the bed, as though he had
got up in the night to get some medicine.
There was a small light burning.
When Coroner's Physician Leblanc ar
rived he found in a waste basket near
table which stood beside the bed a small
bottle that had contained prussia acid The
cork was on the floor . on the table was
The poison had been purchased at drug
store in the neighborhood, and there DR..
Leblanc was told that DR.. Gardner late on
Sunday evening had sent around his own
prescription calling Tor StTonR soiu'iou u
the acid Dr. Leblanc said last night that
three drops of this solution in water was
the utmost safe dose and that one drop
over meant instant death, No dropper was
found in DR.. Gardeners apartments.
DR. Gardner may have been in such
condition. =" said DR.. Leblanc, that the usual
dose killed him, or again he may have
taken one too many drops. 1t has always
been regarded as very dangerous to attempt
to drop this acid without a .dropper, be-
cause there is the chance Of getting. too
much. There is no doubt from the position
in which Dr.. Gardner was found that he
died instantly. The bottle probably fell
from his hand into the basket. As rule
when doctors prescribe hydrocyanic acid
for their patients much weaker solution
Is given"
Hr. Gardner was unmarried. His father
and mother live in Springfield. His fat her
snsed ate making ea @ for
tie removal of the body.