Tooth-ache

An inquest was held in Fitzroy-square, to inquire into the cause of the death of a policeman's wife, named Mary Rachel Latton, alleged to have been occasioned by her taking an overdose of laudanum, wrongfully administered to her with a view of curing the tooth-ache.

Henry Charles Clapham, apothecary, 29, Francis-street, Tottenham-court-road saw the deceased for the second time about half past nine o'clock on Monday morning, when he thought her not quite so well; there was more fever and depression of the brain, besides great excitement. He ordered leeches to her head, also a saline mixture and a drachm and a-half of tincture of hyosciamus, three tablespoonsfull to be taken every three hours. The medicines were properly labelled. The prescription was made up by Mr. John Merrall, witness's assistant. He is eighteen, and has been with witness about a month; he had a good character from his last place, where he had lived two years, and witness was told he was quite competent to the duties of his situation.

Mr. Merrall admitted, that he had put prussic acid into the draught by mistake.

William Frederick Latton - Saw deceased drink three table-spoons full of the medicine, and no more. As soon as she had taken it she attempted to lie down, and called out "Oh, I am so sick." Witness ran to her, and held her temples, when she strained so violently that he thought she had ruptured a blood-vessel inside. Some blood came off her stomach, and she fell into his arms in strong convulsions. She frothed at the mouth and nose, and her eyes appeared bursting from her head. Her limbs became stiffened and contracted. Mr. Clapham tasted the liquid in the bottle, part of which she had taken, and told witness not to be frightened, as if she drank the whole, it would not hurt her.

Mr. Broughton, Merrall's former master, stated, that Merrall had been in his employment nearly three years as a shopman; all the knowledge he had of medicine he gained from witness. He never entrusted him to make up prescriptions, except when he was present.

Mr. Clapham asked the witness if he did not tell him that Merrall was fully competent to compound drugs. Mr. Broughton made no reply.

After some time in consultation, the jury returned the following verdict:- Manslaughter against John Merrall.