The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-27
CLERKS MISTAKE.
SAYS GRAND Jury
McCreary Held for Hearing for
Causing Death OF Robert l..
LcMasuricr.
ORDINANCE MAY BE RESULT
Proposed to Prohibit Filling OF
Prescriptions Received by
Telephone.

FOLLOWING the arrest yesterday
afternoon of Thomas W. McCreary, the
| twcnty-two-yc sr-old drug clerk who
compounded the prescription which
caused the death of Robert Lionel Lee
Masuricr, four years old. son of Cap
cain and Mrs. Joscphs LeNiasuricr. 1t
became apparent that Il movement Will
be launched to have Il city ordinances
enacted Which Will prohibit druggists
from filling prescriptions received over
tho telephone. a misunderstood telc-
phone message from Or. Il. w. Gee to
McCreary at I. =. Fletchcr's Pharmacy
26o1 Park Avenue. was tho cause OF a
prescription of bichloridc of mercury
being compounded instead of calomcl
! The poison was given Baby LeNIasu-
rfcr by his. parents and caused his
death early Tuesday morning.
Verdict of Coroncr's Jury.
McCrcarys arrest on tho technical
charge OF murder followed the verdict
OF the coroncr's jury, which inquired
into the case yesterday morning. The
verdict was as follows:
| robert Lionel LcNlasuricr came to
his death on the Gath day of February.
1913. from tho effects of bichloridc of
mercury, administered on the c4th day
of February. 1918, by its parents, who
believed that they were giving n salu-
| tary medicine, and that the bichloride
of mercury was dispensed on the gath
|
McCrcary. a registered assistant phar-
macist, instead Of mild chloride of
mercury, which had been prescribed
by DIR. Il. w. Gee by telephone, and that
owing to the similarity of the names
when spoken by telephone the doctor
and the clerk mutually misunderstood
each other"
McCrcary was bailcd in the sum of
$500 by his employer. Mr.. Fletcher, for
his appearance before Police Justice
| Crutchiicld.
Among Interested spectators at the
inquest was Il. l. Brands. field score
tary OF tho state Board OF Pharmacy
I 1T Is understood that he will mako a
{ report OF tho case to the board.
No New Facts Presented.
Or. Gee testified that he ordered
calomel for the child. and when uues-
toned, stated he may have specified
mild chloride" medical term for
calomci. 1t was brought out by
Coroner Taylor that mild chloride"
founded in a telephone conversations
McCreary WAS positive that the ply
/ stefan said 'bichloridc," and he added
+ he repeated the name to insure being
I correct. McCrcary, who has been an
assistant registered pharmacist for
about eighteen months, testified he did
not know FOR whom the medicine was
! intended. He compounded less than
the maximum dose generally given
adults. Captain LeMasuricr desired to
ask the clerk that. knowing the CON
tents TO be poisonous. why he had not
sent note with the prescription
! Coroner Taylor would not admit the
question.
McCrcary and DR.. Gee were also
questioned by Mr. Fletcher The lat
ter testified that he did not learn that
the prescription had been compounded
until several hours after it had been
delivered, having been absent from
the store. and when he did lie immc-
diately notified Dr. Gee The latter
\ with DR.. st. George Y. Cirinnan, hur-
Z RED to the LaMasuricr home and made
heroic efforts 10 save the childs life
That was on Monday afternoon, but
/ despite all efforts, the boy died early
! Tuesday morning
/ The jury deliberated more than half
an hour before returning its verdict
McCrcary was taken in custody by
/ Detective Sergeant Wiley. and was
! bailcd before Judge Richardson in the
( HustinSs Court
Z Commonwealth Attorney Minitree
Folkes, II is expected. will take steps
10 have the City Council enact an or
dinance prohibiting druggists filling
! telephoned prescriptions. The State
/ Board of Pharmacy is also expected to
/ take some action in the matter.
! McCreary came to this city from his
! home III Rockingham County, Va