The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1883-08-03 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SAD DEATH OF AN AGED -SURGEON. On Thursday an inquest was held at Wool wich by Mr. E. A. Garter, coroner for Kent, on the body of Mr. William Francis Finland, who was at ens time the parochial medical officer, but had been long superannuated. Ile had, however, notwithstanding some physical incapacities carried on his professional duties until the last. His oldest daughter, who assisted him as dispenser and accompaukd him on his visits, said that he was 82 years of age, and had been very feeble and suffered from giddiness and pains in the head. Ha was also partially blind and nearly deaf, but he was remarkably active for his years. On Wednesday morning, at 20 minut,s to nine, she saw him 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 (hal Three bottles labelled" hydrocyanic acid" were on a table near the bed. They had not come from his surgery, arid she did not know that he bad them in his possession. He had no troubli other than his infirmities, and could live on his income.—The sister of this witness leaving given corroborative evidence. Henry Wilcox, a surgeon, said that all the I:tittles had contained oruiseic acid, of which a small quantity remained in each. The strength of the acid was four per cent. to 91 per cent. of water, and a teaspoonful would cause death in two minutes and insensibility in ten or twenty seconds.—A. letter addressed to the coroner, and found in the deceased's room, was as follows :—" Sir,—Whilst I can see I will tell slimy troubles. Because lain old-82 years—because I am partly deaf in both ears, blind in my right eye, and almost blind in my left eye, which was operated on three years ago at Guy's, people will not employ me. It is cruel, unkind, and I may starve. Then the cheap dispensaries are robbing me daily of patients. Than the horrid noises and rattling of carte upset my brain and nervous system so that lam miserable. Then lam eyed and followed and watched by the police every day, why I do not know, until my life is wretched. The idea of going j blind, to be dressed, led about, and fed, like a child I Death is preferable, and the grave. May God forgive me I 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 t 3 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. PunLaND, Surgeon, dm."—Polthe-constable Rogers, coroner's officer, said the idea that deceas id was watched by the police was a delusion. Time 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 is necessary. during hot weather, to advoid beverages lkely to heat or stimalate the system. o.lccis, deprived of the superfluone oil, and guarantJed absolutely pure, is a most soothing, sustaining, and refreshing beverage. Be sure that you get Cadburys Coe Ai Essence when you ask for it, as imitations are of ten pushed by shopkeepers for the sake of extra profit. Makers by special.appointment to the Queen.