Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-08-03 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SAD DEATH OF' AN AGED SURGEON. On Thursday an inquest was held at Woolwich by Mr. E. A. Carter. coroner for Kent, on the body of Mr. William Francis Finland, who was at one time the parochial medical officer, but had been long superannaated. He bad, however, notwithstanding some physical incapacities carried on his professional duties until the last. His eldest daughter, who assisted him as dispenser and accompauied him on his visite, said that he was S 2 yeara of age, and had been very feeble and suffered from giddiness and pains in the head. He was also partially blind and nearly deaf, but he was remarkably active for his Years. On Wednesday morning, at 20 minutes to nine, she saw 4ini in bed, and he spoke of his intention to visit a sick child, but an hour afterwards she found him still in bed and quite dead. Three bottles labelled "hydrocyanic acid" were on a table near the bed. They had not come from his surgery, and she did not know that he had them in his possession. He had no trouble other than hill infirmities, and could live on his income.—The sister of this witness having given corroborative evidence, Henry Wilcox, a surgeon, said that all the bottles had contained prussic mil, of which a small quantity remained in each. The strength of the acid was four per cent. to 96 per cent. of water, and a teaspomful would cause death in two minutes and inseusibility in ten or twenty eeconds.-4 letter addressed to the coroner, and found in the deceased's room, was as follows:—" Sir,—Whilst I can see I will tell all my troubles. Because lam old-82 years—because I am partly deaf in both care, blind in my right eye, and almost blind in my left eye, which was operated on three ^ears ago at Guys, people will not employ me. It is -'•ind, and I may starve. Then the cheap die. cruel, un-- ' ' '—e me daily of patients. Then the pensariee are robin.,, • ..‘irta upset my brain and horrid noises and rattling or ... nervous system so that lam miserable. arr."ll I am—tyvedl and followed and watched by the police every day, do not know, until my life is wretched. The idea" of going blind, to be dressed, led about, and fed, like a child I Death is preferable, and the grave. May Goal forgive me! To end my troubles I have taken poison, prussic acid. The bottles containing it will be found, so there will be no occasion to cut about and open my body. Let it go to the grave entire. Pray do, God bless you and everybody. By means of glasses given me at the Hospital, I have managed to scrawl this.—W. F. Pug. LAND, Surgeon, &c."—Police-constable Rogers, coroner's officer, said the idea that deceased was watched by the police was a delusion. The coroner said the letter appeared to have been written some time, and had no date. A verdict was returned of "Suicide through mental aberration and infirmity arising from old age."  It le necessary, during hot weather, to advoid beverages lkely to heat or stimulate the system. Cocoa, deprived of the superfluous oil, and guaranteed absolutely pure, is a most soothing. sustaining, and refreshing beverage. Be sure that you get Giclbury s COCA). Essence when you ask for it, as imitations are of ten pushed by shopkeepers for the sake of extra profit. Maker/ by special appointment to the Queen.