STARVED HIMSELF TO DEATH

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 2

STARVED HIMSELF TO DEATH

“Native Cure Physician’*

CORONER’S WARNING

The death from starvation of a man at St. Leonards, Sussex, who was imposing an Oriental cult of fasting upon himself and who practised as a "nature cure physician,” was the subject of comment by the Coroner at an inquiry in Hastings in England recently. “I have recently received a pamphlet from an organisation signing itself ‘The People’s JLeague of Medical Freedom’ reminding me of my duties as a coroner in this case,” he said. “I have noticed on the dead man’s door a brass plate bearing the words, ‘Nature Cure Physician.’ It appears from the evidence, that in spite of the efforts of family and friends, he persisted in treating himself and has refused proper medical aid. He has definitely starved himself to death. “I am aware that an adult person not suffering from any disability of mind is not compelled by law to consult a registered medical practitioner in the case of illness. It is my duty to warn the public and anyone who might have taken the dead man’s advice. Therefore I hope the press will publish enough to indicate the terrible consequences in the present case, due entirely to the treatment this man bad applied to himself. It is clear from the evidence that he was suffering from no disease whatsoever, and if he had only lived normally he would have been alive to-day.”

“Legs Like Broomsticks.”

The inquest was on Dudley Langham Smith (38), of Marina, St. Leonards, and a verdict of death due to starvation was returned. A post-mortem examination report by Dr. Wood stated that the man’s arms and legs were wasted to the size of broomsticks and it described in detail his terribly shrivelled and wasted condition. Mr. William Smith (the father), of Eversley Road, Bexhill-on-Sea: _ “He was an idealist. I think he lost himself in his ideals.” Dr. Wood: I am afraid he sacrificed himself. The father said that his son had served in the navy and had been in the Persian Gulf. He started practising at St. Leonards about six years ago. He had repeatedly urged’ his son to give up fasting and rebuild his health, ana more recently had asked him to seek medical advice but without avail. Doctor’s Warning Ignored. Dr. Carmody (who was called in by a friend of Smith on October 21) said that he found Smith suffering from starvation, and in a state of extreme emaciation. He told him that he was likely to die. Smith appeared rational and the doctor asked him to explain what had taken place. “He told me he had been in the East and had malaria and other internal troubles. He also told me he had embraced an Oriental cult which believed in fasting with a view to making the mind think more clearly.” ... The Coroner: He was not out of his mind?—No. Dr. Carmody continued: On Friday I felt that transfusion of blood was the only hope for saving him but he declined to have it. I told him he would die if he did not go into hospital, but he shook his head in refusal although he was too weak to discuss the matter.” The Coroner: He has on his plate “Nature Cure Physician.” Do you know if he was treating people?—Yes, I have met people who have been to him.