A SAD CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1764, 2 June 1906, Page 3

A SAD CASE

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, la9t night. Ad inquo3t was resumed on the body of Kathleen Mattbewson, Biogle, who died under suspicions oironmslanoes. Dr. Emily Siedoberg, who was present while Dr. Ohurcb examined the patient under [ chloroform in the house of Mrs Norman, nurse, said Mrs Norman in mentioning witness’ fee stated it would be all right as a man had promised to pay everything. Witness was of the opinion death was caused by septiooemia brought about by the preseno9 of pus, oaused by a ruptured absoess. The condition could not have been oaused by drugs. What was done was probably by some person not a skilled surgeon. What she saw was consistent with the faot that an instrument had been used. Dr. Boberts, who made the post mortem, said the conditions oould only have arisen from septic interferenoe from without. There was grave suspicion of oriminal interference, and if the patient had been moribund or expected to die, he should have oommunioated with the police. He did not think ho would though when there was a chance of recovery, even though he knew an illegal operation had been performed. He would not deem

bis duty to inform the police while he hoped for recovery. He would do» give away a patient who went to a medioal man in confidence until death was afterwards probable.

THE CULPRIT ESCAPES,

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. At the icquest touobing the death of Kathleen Matbewson, the jury returned a verdiot that the cause of death was septioemix, the result of an illegal operation, but by whom performed there was not sufficient evidence to show. The jury also expressed regret that the police had not been informed by the doctor and nurse of the oircumstances of the case immediately after examination had proved an illegal operation had been performed. Tbe mystery in oonneotion with the man who had called at the house of the nurse while the girl was ill was not solved. Three young men who had been oasual acquaintance of deoeased, and from one of whom she tried to borrow money, were eZamined, but tbe nurse said that none of them was tbe man. Edwin Vivian, one of these young men, was examined at his own request with the object of showing lhat he was not the girl’s lover. He said sbe had made an appointment by telephone on thirteen occasions and failed to I keep it. He bad met her oooasionally seven times, and saw her borne five times. On two occasions on whioh she failed so keep her appointment he saw her in the street with a young man.