Person Page - 94

Newspaper-Articles

• 12 Aug 1936: PRESCRIPTIONS. Alleged Breach of Law. CHEMIST AND STUDENT FINED.
  Leighton Weber, 20, of Bowman-street, Drummoyne, pleaded guilty at the Balmain Summons Court yesterday to a charge that being a person other than an authorised medical practitioner or registered veterinary surgeon, he issued a prescription for the drug morphine sulphate. Weber was fined £ 5 and 8/ costs.
  Detective-sergeant Thompson, of the C.I.B., said that Weber was carrying on a business in Victoria-road, Drummoyne, where he gave advice and treated animals. He also gave out cards bearing the inscription, "Member of the Veterinary Society."
  "It appears that defendant was a student at the Veterinary College of the Sydney University for about 12 months," said Thompson. "He explained to me that he could not afford to carry on his studies, and he thought he would set up in business to try and earn a few pounds to pay his fees. This particular prescription called for three grains of morphine, which is a dangerous dose, about five grains being a fatal dose."
  Weber said that he was at the Sydney University until May of this year. He had never passed himself off as a veterinary surgeon, but described himself as a "dog, cat, and horse specialist." He copied the prescription out of a veterinary science book, and the amount of morphine prescribed was definitely not dangerous. He did not know it was an offence for an unauthorised person to issue prescriptions, or to charge fees.
  To the police prosecutor, Weber admitted that he had issued a prescription showing drams instead of grains, which was a very serious mistake.
  Mr. Hunter, for defendant, said that no harm could have been caused. Through carelessness and foolishness, Weber had placed himself in danger of being unable to complete his studies. His whole career would be jeopardised if he was convicted.
  Mr. Scobie. S.M., said that Weber should have known the law.
  Walter George Meldrum, of Victoria-road, Drummoyne, pleaded guilty to a charge that, being a registered pharmacist, he had dispensed a prescription for the drug morphine sulphate which did not comply with the regulations in that it was written by a person other than a medical practitioner or registered veterinary surgeon. Meldrum was also fined £5 and 8/ costs.
  Detective-sergeant Thompson said that Meldrum had dispensed nine prescriptions issued by Weber. The prescription which was the subject of the charge did not contain the date or the address of the patient, nor was it marked "For animal treatment only," and it was not cancelled by Meldrum when dispensed. All these things were required by the regulations.
  To the magistrate, Thompson said that the serious part was that the morphine might get into the hands of lay people.
  Mr. Scoble said that he was satisfied the offence was not committed preparatory to, or committed in the course of, an offence under the Act.
  Mr. Hunter (instructed by Mr. J. W. Milne) appeared for Weber; Mr. Phillips (instructed by Messrs. Tillman and Coopel appeared for Meldrum.⁸
• 8 Nov 1943: C.C.C. MEDICAL SERVICES. Unrest in North Alleged.
  MELBOURNE, Sunday-Two doctors had relinquished posts as medical officers for the Allied Works Council in the Northern Territory as a protest against the inadequate provisions of medical services for thousands of Civil Constructional Corps workers in that area, said Mr. E. H. Malone, a former chief medical orderly, to-day.
  Mr. Malone has resigned his position with the A.W.C. and has returned to Melbourne.
  Because of discontent over alleged inefficient medical services thousands of C.C.C. workers in the Northern Territory had held stop-work meetings in the past three months and recently were on strike for more than a week, he said. The men returned to work two weeks ago on being given an undertaking that an inquiry would be held into the administration of the medical service.
  In a letter to the A.W.C. Mr. Malone said that his resignation was subject to the acceptance of Dr. Leighton Weber's resignation.
  [see Trove for full article]⁹
• 25 Sep 1945: DR. M. M. VELIK has purchased the Medical Practice of Dr. Leighton, O. D. Weber, at 27 RUSSELL STREET ESSENDON.¹⁰
• 18 Feb 1947: DR. LEIGHTON O. D. WEBER has COMMENDED PRACTICE at 7 BAILEY GROVE. IVANHOE.¹¹
• 25 Oct 1947: VICTORIAN POLL Record Of 62 Seats To Be Contested.
  ... There were surprise last-minute nominations today for Toorak and Ivanhoe, making three-cornered contests in both electorates. Dr. Leighton Weber, of Ivanhoe, who will stand as an Independent Liberal, has nominated for Ivanhoe.¹²
• 9 Jan 1948: DOCTOR FOR GOROKE. Dr. O. Leighton Weber, of Ivanhoe, has signed the agreement drawn up by the solicitors acting on behalf of the Goroke Hospital Committee. His arrival will automatically bring about the re-opening of the hospital. The committee has extensive alterations and improvements planned, and hopes to carry these out in the near future.¹³
• 28 Jun 1953: DRUG ADDICT DOCTOR DIED PATHETICALLY
  IN pathetic and sordid circumstances the life of Dr. Leighton Otto Davis Weber came to an end in a room in a Newtown house on February 7, the doctor was 37.
  He had been a chronic drug addict, and had gone down the hill until he was broken—physically, mentally, and financially.
  He ended his days living apart from his wife and child and with another woman — a violinist. The violinist, Miss Mascot Blake, who now lives in Stewart Street, Paddington, told the City Coroner's Court this week that she had kept Dr. Weber while she lived with him because she was sorry for him.
  Miss Blake was giving evidence at an inquest into the doctor's death.
  Medical evidence was that Dr Weber died on February 7 from morphine poisoning.
  Sergeant John Freeman saw the doctor's body in bed in a room occupied by the doctor and Miss Blake in a house in Australia Street, Newtown, at 7.30 a.m. on February 7. Sergeant Freeman said that Dr. Weber was a chronic morphine addict. "I saw marks on his arm consistent with needling from a drug injection," the sergeant said.
  Dr. Weber had not practised in New South Wales, but had held "positions of medical trust" in other States.
  "Owing to the state of his health, physically and mentally, and his addiction to drugs, his position in life deteriorated," the Sergeant said.
  "His condition finally resulted in his admission, voluntarily, to Broughton Hall on December 2. He was discharged on January 21 at his own request."
  Sergeant Freeman said that he had taken possession of various tablets, a bottle of medicine, and two tumblers found in the room. None of these had been analysed.
  Sergeant Freeman said that Dr. Weber had made a will in favor of his daughter.
  "At the time of his death his wife had no contact with him," the sergeant continued. "He had no belongings or anything of value as far as I can ascertain."
  Replying to a question by City Coroner Forrest, Sergeant Freeman, said he had searched for a hypodermic needle, but found no trace of one.
  Walter Raymond Weber, insurance agent, of Box Road, Jannali, said he was the doctor's brother. He had not seen his brother for 18 years before his death and did not know he was a drug addict, Weber said. Dark, attractive Miss Blake said in evidence that she had been living with Dr. Weber as man and wife.
  She said Dr. Weber slept all day on February 6 and she found him dead at 7 a.m. the next day. Miss Blake said she first knew the doctor in November when she understood he had just returned from Queensland. He looked ill and complained of pains he attributed to cancer.
  Miss Blake said she went to live with Dr. Weber after his discharge from Broughton Hall. He had been given a prescription to make him sleep. Dr. Weber had taken the medicine indiscriminately and with no regard for the correct dosage and slept almost continuously. Miss Blake said she did not know Dr. Weber was a chronic drug addict. She told Sergeant Lucas she had never seen Dr. Weber giving himself an injection.
  Sergeant Lucas: "He had reached a fairly low ebb physically and mentally, had he not?"
  Miss Blake: "Yes."
  As time went on you realised his financial position was at a low ebb as well?— Yes.
  To put it bluntly, Miss Blake, you kept him, didn't you?— Yes.
  Actually it was your funds he used to get the medicine?— Yes.
  What made you associate with the doctor as you did? — I felt sorry for him.
  At any stage of your association with him did you allow your heart to run
  away with your head and inject any morphine or drug into the doctor? — No
  Until the doctor's death was investigated did you know he died from morphine poisoning?— No.
  Mr. Forrest adjourned the inquest until July 6 and said he intended to have the medicine bottle sent to the Government analyst.
  "There is also the matter of the marks on the doctor's arm resulting from a needle." the Coroner added.¹⁴
• 28 Jun 1953: Doctor's death sets drug puzzle
  How ailing, drug addicted Dr. Leighton Otto Davis Weber (37) obtained the morphine which is believed to have caused his death in a shabby Newtown rooming house on February 7 is still puzzling police, according to evidence at the Coroner's Court on Wednesday. Dr. Weber, who had come to Sydney from Queensland last year, had never practised in this State.
  A young violinist, Miss Mascotte Blake, who had shared the last few months of the doctor's life, was unable to throw any light on the mystery. Miss Blake, of Stewart St., Paddington, told the Coroner (Mr. E. Forrest) that she first became acquainted with Weber in 1952.
  Her funds
  "He told me that he had been medical officer at a whaling station on Moreton Island during the previous whale-catching season, and that he had come to Sydney to seek medical advice," Miss Blake said.
  "He complained to me of pains which he attributed to cancer." She said that Weber was then at a low ebb physically and financially and she felt sorry for him. She said she went to live with the doctor as his wife in a room at Australia St., Newtown.
  Sgt. Lucas (assisting the Coroner) : To put it bluntly Miss Blake, you kept him? — Yes.
  It was your funds he used to get the medicine? — Yes.
  At any stage of your association did you allow your heart to run away with your head and inject any morphia or other drug into him? — No.
  He never requested you to do anything like that? — Never.
  Punctures
  You didn't know anything of the morphia at its source? — No.
  Miss Blake said that until the doctor's death was investigated she was not aware that he had died from morphine poisoning.
  The Coroner: Were you aware that he had needle punctures all over his arms? — Yes, but I thought he had been given them during hospital treatment.
  Sgt. J. W. Freeman of Newtown, said that a post-mortem examination revealed that Weber died from morphine poisoning.
  "I have been unable to ascertain the source of the morphia or how he came by it," he said.
  The coroner adjourned the inquiry until July 6 so that bottles found in the doctor's room could be examined by the Government Analyst."¹⁵
• 6 Jul 1953: FINDS QLD. DR. TOOK POISON
  SYDNEY: The City Coroner, Mr. E. J. Forrest, today found that a former Queensland doctor, Leighton Otto Davis Weber, died from morphine poisoning, wilfully self-administered.
  Weber, 37, of Newtown, a near-city suburb, died on February 7 last.
  In previous evidence violinist Miss Mascot Blake, of Paddington j said she "kept" Weber and had lived with him as man and wife.
  She said that on the night of his death he appeared to be ill and complained of pains which he attributed to cancer.
  Weber used to take sleeping draughts indiscriminately without regard to dosage, she said.
  A post-mortem examination revealed no signs of disease on Weber's body, but that he died from morphine poisoning.¹⁶