The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-08-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE TOWN-LANE TROUGH.  THE SUICIDE EPIDEMIC. -ANOTHER CASE OF CARBOLIC ACID POISONING. Harriett M•Guinness, 32 years of age, a widows who resided at 11, Simpson-street, committed suicide at noon, on Wednesday, by swallowing a quantity of carbolic acid. She was found in her room unconscious with an empty cup beside her. Two doctor, were sent for, but their services were of no avail, as the woman expired a few minutes after she took the poison. Within the past fortnight live cans of this character have occurred in the borough. In the Meadows Hotel, Conway-street, on Thursday afternoon an inquest was held by Mr. C. W. Tibbite, the deputy coroner, touching the circumstances attending the demise of the deceased. Maria M`Guinness, deceased's sister-in-law, with whom deceased was living at the time of the occurrence, was the first witness. She stated that deceased's husband, a commeicial traveller, had been dead over three years, and that deceased had three children. Deceased bad started in business but it failed, and she afterwards took up her residence with witness. Since then she had earned her living by sewing, but she had become low-spirited, was always crying, and wondering how she could get along. She was naturally of a melancholy disposition. On Wednesday morning witness went out, and on returnint met deceased, who was coming downstairs, and naia to her "I have done it." Witness went out for assistance, there being nobody in the house at the time, and brought in a lady. Deceased was upstairs in an unconscious state when they got back to the house; emetics were given to her, and she was ESA) by Dr. Barry, but despite this shedied three-quarters of an hour after witness had seen her on the first occasion. Deceased had never threatened to do anything to herself, but she had been reading accounts of the recent carbolic acid poisoning cases. In answer to the jury, witness said she heard the deceased repeat the words "I have done it," several times, both before and after witness went out; but witness had no idea whether deceased had taken acid twice or not.  By Mr. Matheson, who watched the proceedings on behalf of the relatives: Deceased had experienced considerable pecuniary difficulties lately. Thomas Clarke, Tranmere-road, stated that he was the brother-in-law of the deceased, who had left a letter. _  The Coroner: It is a letter of a very pitiful character, and if you wish it, I will read it to you. A juror: If it is of a family character I don't think we need it.  _ The Coroner: I quite appreciate the remark that has been made. I don't think it necessary MA'S letters of the character relating to family affairs need be read. It is sufficient to ascertain what was the cause of death and whether it was caused by the deceased herself or by some other agency. From the evidence which had already been given, he did not think there was any doubt but that she committed suicide whilst insane.  The jury recorded a verdict to that effect. Continuing, he said he understood references had been made from time to time with regard to the restricting of the sale of carbolic acid. He did not think he had ever had a more painful case than the one they had just investigated. As they could understand with regard to the sale of carbolic acid, it would be a very difficult thing to regulate the , sale of such a commodity, It was not an ordinary poison: it was used for such a variety of purposes that it would almost ha impossible to regulato the sale of it and it seemed to him that that had been the difficulty in the matter. However, he would take the opportunity of speaking to the coroner and asking him to do something, if anything could be done. He understood that other coroners wers.making presentments in the matter. In conclusion he said death by carbolic acid poisoning wae. one of the most painful of deaths.