Wilmington Daily Gazette

REMEDY FOR RHEUMATISM:

HOW A FELLOW FEELS WHEN HE IS FULL OF
STRYCHNINE

The Gold Hill, (Nev.) News says: Dr. Harris, the well known assayer, who resides at the lower end of town, came near being poisoned to death last night through taking a dose of medicine for rheumatism. The settlings in the bottom of the vial settled his case. The following communication from him, received at noon to-day, tells the whole story: "Last night (Thursday) I felt a pain in my knee, caused by rheumatism. I got up at ten o'clock and took a dose of rheumatic medicine, prescribed by Dr. Rowland of San Francisco. There was only one dose left, and not at the time thinking of the settlement at the bottom of the vial, I took it. Half an hour after I was LAYING IN BED with a candle in hand, reading, I was struck senseless and speechless. The candle fell on the bed and I could neither stir nor cry out for a second. Luckily the shock terminated in time to let me put out the light or the house and all would have been consumed. More and stronger shocks and convulsions then followed, and from symptoms I knew that I had taken strychnine. My wife brought sweet oil, of which I took two doses. But great God! what a torment. shocks and convulsions followed from 10 to 12 o'clock, when the death throes set in. I was convulsed with five shocks like a man broken on the wheel and the last shock made me helpless and stiff. I felt the earth give way, and called my wife to me. My hands were crossed, but I could not move them, nor any part of my body, I bade them all good bye, and swooned. My wife SENT FOR A DOCTOR, and Dr. Kirby came about twelve, and found me still alive and somewhat rational, as the oil had its effect. From then until six o'clock this morning I had shocks like from a galvanic battery, every few minutes. I could not stir hand or foot, and any attempt to turn my head brought a shock. To tell what I suffered is impossible, and I had given up all thought of life; but soon I began to recover, and now—ten o'clock, A. M.—I am able to write you this, in order that you may warn persons using this medicine to beware of overdoses or settlings."