6 JUNE 1857, Page 4

SALE OF POISONS.

In moving that the Lords should go into Committee on the Sale of -Poisons Bill, Earl GRANVILLE explained the measure. The object of the bill is twofold—to prevent, if possible, the sale of poisons for the commission of murder on the one hand, and the occurrence of accidents by the sale of poisons by mistake on the other. There are 500 deaths annually from poison—not more than one out of four come to the knowledge of the Registrar-General. The bill proposes that poison shall only be sold to a person of full age, in the presence of a witness, and on the production of a certificate from a medical practitioner, clergyman, or justice of the peace ; that the seller shall enter in a book the date of the sale and the name and address of the purchaser ; that all poisons shall be sold in bottles cased in tinfoil, distinctly labelled with the address of the . seller, and the word " poison " moulded on the bottle ; that solid colourless poison shall be mixed with indigo or soot, and liquid poison with the solution of archil. A schedule is attached to the bill contain. ing a list of poisons. Formalities are dispensed with in the ease of -medical prescriptions, and have no application to the sale of poisons wholesale or retail.

Lord 'Caurrour. thanked the Government for bringing in the bill. The Earl of HARDWICKE expressed a doubt of its success. He was assured that the bill would compel the closing of two-thirds of the druggists' shops throughout England. Medicine could not be sold without the risk of incurring penalties. Lord TALBOT DE MALAHIDE expressed some dissatisfaction. Lord REDEBDALE said the House had no practical information on the subject, and he suggested that the bill should be referred to a

• Select Committee.

Earl GRANVILLE said, he had not the slightest objection to take that course. The bill was accordingly referred to a Select Committee.