A SAD CASE.
DEMENTED WOMAN STRANGLED IN BED.
'(Eob Presn Association.)
Christchurch, last night. The inquest on Miss Constance Cacldon,' who was found strangled in her bed at the nursing bomß of Mre Wood, Opawa, on the 3rd inst., was resumed to-day. When, the inquestod opened it was stated that the deceased, who was mentally afflicted, has?, been placed in a straight jaekeit, and her feet strapped to tbe bed, and on the Wednesday evening was found partly hanging out of thO bed suffocated. Evidence was given which supported these statements: The nurse who attended the deceased stated that she had practically no experience of mental cases. Dr Symes, who recommended the removal of deceased to the home, stated that when he knevy that she was being put into a straight jacket he had advised Mrs Wood to stop nsing it as Boon as possible. He had not been awaro that the deceased was strapped to the bed. \
Mrs Wood was called, but it was statiiS that she was too ill to give eyidence, and Dr Symes stated she was suffering from heart disease, and it would be dangerous to subject her to examination. Mrs ccounsel said she pleaded, this privilege, as her evidence might incriminate herself. Sho was allowed to stand down.
Dr. Moorehouse, wfc,o made a 'SJ3S& mortem examination, stated that strangulation was the cause of (death. There wao no disease of the organs sufficient to account for death. '
The coroner in summing up spoke strongly on the necessity for supervisi&h of homes for thp treat: nent of the mentally afflicted, and state d that Mrs Wood had applied for and be(m refused a license for her home under the. Lunacy Act. After a quarter of ar'i hour’s retirement the'jury returned a veirdiot that death was due to strangulation, a nd that the patient bad not been kept un'der proper or sufficient care and control! I,i*
A rider was added expressing the opinion of the jury that privat e nursing homes for the treatment of the mentally affiliated should he abolished. \
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GIST19050512.2.37
Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1452, 12 May 1905, Page 2
Word Count
343A SAD CASE. Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1452, 12 May 1905, Page 2
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