The Sun. — 1865-07-18 (London, England)

UNINTENTIONAL INFANTICIDE.—Mr. John Simon, medical officer of the Privy Council, in his evidence before the Select Committee on the Chemists and Druggists' Bills, mentioned some startling facts as to the unintentional destruction of infant life by opium. " There are some country districts of England," said, "whore child imumanuisfame tounrisntrao udsis t riEcvthe,rywohneereknmoowt hs ethat ri no skilomliengofbythoep employed and children are neglected, the mortality of infants is twice or thrice what one would call the nominal rate of dying, and that a considerable share of this undue mortality is caused by dosing with preparations of opium. But it is not equally well known that in certain country districts the same amount of mortality of infants is to be observed; and when the particulars of this aro inquired into, it appears that the conditions aro very similar to those which operate in the manufacturing districts, and that even a greater proportion of the mortality is caused by the domestic administration of opium." " I should not like you," Mr. Simon continued, " to suppose that I think much of it is intentional. Ido not think that, but there is a carelessness as to the result that is hideous. On this subject the committee would find the facts given in m) last annual report, and especially with reference to the marsh districts of England. The Women work in gangs, and travel about the country, lading often a very reckless and rollicking life, leaving their children a great deal to chance as they travel about. The children fare very badly, as the children do in manufacturing towns. To be kept quiet They are drugged with opium. The peasantry have a tradition that opium is useful in their ague, and have got so familiar with it that many of the adults ters are opium-ea • Having this local knowledge of opium, r often t o bs very reckless whether the (namely, the agricultural they use it to children very largely, the children dying The children are an encumbrance to them." childrengang monstrously.-wora ) li oarpTdphiesa e mothers .  ATTEMPTED MURDER AT WARIVI C .—Yesterday, at the Warwick Borough Police Court, George London was charged with attempting to murder William Coates, by shooting at him with a gun. Between twelve and one o'clock on Sunday morning, the prisoner, who does not bear a very good character, went to a house in Mountstreet, where he knew Coates was, and said that he would shoot him if ho came out. Coates went out, and the prisoner instantly discharged a loaded gun at him. Providentially Coates turned sideways, and the greater portion of the charge entered the door and walls, but several of the shots lodged in the man's shoulder, inflicting a serious wound. The prisoner then decamped, but was apprehended shortly afterwards in bed. A quantity of percussion caps, powder, and shot were found upon him; and an open knife was laid on the bed by his side. He did not make any defence, and was remanded for the attendance of the injured man. Jealousy of a woman with whom he has for years cohabited, and who has recently shown a preference for Coates, is assumed to be the cause of the ill  --- feeling.