Mrs Catherine McNicol v Burroughs Wellcome & Co: printed and formal papers

The case concerns the alleged poisoning of Mrs Catherine McNicol, wife of Dr P B McNicol, of Stirling. It was alleged that, in December 1901, Mrs McNicol took two "Soloid" Mercuric Potassium Iodide which were supplied to her as "Tabloid" Quinine Bisulphate by Dr McGregor, of Ayr. Mrs McNicol survived, and a claim for damages was set in motion, on the grounds that the drug was mis-labelled. The case was eventually settled, under the terms outlined in a letter (1 September, 1902) from Messrs Macpherson & Mackay, in which Burroughs Wellcome & Co agreed to pay £650 plus expenses, and both sides agreed to endeavour to keep the matter private (for the letter outlining the terms, and related correspondence, see WF/L/08/04).

The file contains the following papers:

Printed correspondence (1901-1902) between representing solicitors (Brown & Murray, of Stirling, and Hicks, Davis & Hunt, of Old Jewry Chambers, London EC).

Open Record, in causa Mrs Catherine McLaren or McNicol against Burroughs, Wellcome & Company, stating Summons (10 April, 1902), Condescendence for Pursuer and Answers thereto for Defenders, Pleas in Law for Pursuer, and Pleas in Law for Defenders.

Summons (Hicks Davis and Hunt, 13 Old Jewry Chambers, EC).

Defences. Answers to Condescendece, in draft (typescript, with annotations in pencil).

Case for the Opinion of Counsel. The Lord Advocate, Mr Fletcher Moulton, The Rt Hon H H Asquith, Mr T Shaw. Consultation 8 May, 1902, at the Lord Advocate's Room, Westminster.

Memorandum, by Charles Stewart, in reference to withdrawal of the action suggested for submission to the Pursuers (May, 1902).

Opinion on Case (copy), by Mr Fletcher Moulton KC, MP.

Proof. Statements by: Charles Corning Weld (Deputy Manager, Burroughs Wellcome & Co);William Joynson-Hicks (Hicks, Davis & Hunt, Old Jewry Chambers); Aubrey Thomas Hill (Manager, Dartford Works); Edward Flatman Linstead (Chief of Advertisement Dept, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Jonathan Dowdeswell (Head of Medical Equipment Dept, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Amy Morris (in charge of packing room, Medicine Chest Dept, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Esther Alice Laval (also in charge of a packing room, Medicine Chest Dept, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Mary Martin Leake (Lady Superintendent of Packing Depts, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); James Brown (Head of "Tabloid" and "Soloid" Manufacturing Depts, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Amy Jane Bass (in charge of 30 packers, Burroughs Wellcome & Co); Nellie Sophia Bass (in charge of a packing room, Burroughs Wellcome & Co).

1902

1 file

Copyright assigned to the Wellcome Trust