KEROSENE INJECTION CAUSED DEATH

Chronicle (Levin), 23 October 1947, Page 6

KEROSENE INJECTION CAUSED DEATH

AUCKLAND, Oct. 22. A11 injection of kerosene into the veius was Ihe c ti use of death of a patient in the Auckland Hospitul on Octu ber 12, according to a report which tiupathologist, Dr. W. Gilmour, has uuute to the City Ooroncr, Mr. A. Addison Deceascd was Edgar . Stanmore Day, aged 71. inairied, a merchant of Mount Eden, who was admitted to hospital on Heptember 28 sufl'ering from cancer. Lu a report to the Coronet-, Constabl. Hull. stationed at the hospital, stated that dcceased was beiug given an intravenous injection in ward 29 011 the dav of his death. About 8 a.ni. a nurse noticed that the drip bottle was neaiiv einptv and replaeed it vvith a full oue sealed but labelled, which slie obtaiiuv.l from the dressing room ctipboard. Th.e patient collapsed about 19.45 a.111. but was revived. Half tui hour later lit collapsed again and died. It was dis covered a few minutes aftervvard timi the drip bottle coutained wliat was thought to be kerosene. J)r. Gilmour said in his report timi he "Uiade a ]>ostmortem examination of Ihe ?>ody at the directiou of the Coroner, on October Di. The riglit ven

tricle of the heart coutained a quaulity of liuid which was almost pure kero sene. Kerosene could also be detecteil in the blood throughout the vessels oi all the interual organs. "In my opi 11 iou death was due to an injection oi kerosene into the veins witli the resulting blockage of the corouary vessels oi the heart," Dr. Gilmour concluded. The inquest was opbned on Octobei 14 when evidence of identification was given. It was adjourned and will b»concluded 011 a dato to be lixed after inquiries beiug made by a detective are completed.