Mr. Chas. W. Matthews of Richmond, a former Bertie County man, came to town Saturday afternoon from Windsor and made an effort to buy Paregoric from several places after which he saw Dr. J.B.H. Kn???, who prescribed a mixture of two grams of morphine and 240 grains of Choral Bromide Compound, making 16 doses, which was to be taken one teaspoonful every two to six hours according to need.
Matthews took one dose and says he did not take another until the expiration of two hours after which time he knows nothing. He was found at Harrison Bros.’ back lot by chief Page about 10 o’clock in an unconscious condition. Doctors Rhodes and Saunders were called and they, with about a half dozen other prominent citizens, ministered to him Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night. Matthews seems to be doing fairly well now and it is thought that he will be able to go on his way in a day or two. It was found that he had taken the entire contents of the bottle and it is a surprise to attending physicians that he did not die as the choral bromide was sufficient to kill eight people.
Matthews seems to be one of the unfortunates who are too weak to resist temptation. He was well known and for years preached, serving the Cedar Branch church near Jamesville in Martin County at one time. Since then he has held pastorates in Tennessee and Virginia. The drug habit fastened itself so tightly he has not attempted to preach. He has taken treatment several times. He says that he had no idea of harming himself when he took the medicine, supposing it only contained the morphia and some simple vegetable compound which was harmless.
From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., August 2, 1921. Chloral hydrate was a sedative used to calm you just before doctors administered anesthetic for surgery.
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