AN INFANT’S DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2118, 28 June 1907, Page 1

AN INFANT’S DEATH.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Tho inquest concerning the dentil of the infant elljld.of Blr. and Mrs. Marshall, of Mangnpapa, adjourned from last week, was. held at the Courthouse yesterday, before Mr. VV. A Barton, S.M. . The Magistrate stated that owing to the absence.of the Hon. Captain Tucker, before whom tho inquest was opened, it would bo necessary to commence the proceedings do novo. Tho Act made no provision for an inquest being continued before another Coroner. The jury and witnesses would need to be" re-sworn, ibut in regard to tho evidence it would be sufficient if the testimony already taken were read over and reaffirmed. He would have lilted to have spared tile mother and other witnesses the ordeal of re-opening tile case, but there was no alternative.

This course was then followed. Mrs Marshall, mother of the child, Daisy Thompson, the liursegirl, and Dr. Williams were placed in the witness hex, each'ji'e-affifming&the evidence previously published. The Coroner asked Dr. Williams whether feeding the child on sour milk would cause the congested condition of the stomach and bowels, as disclosed in his post mortem examination.

I Dr. Williams: I don’t. think it would, Your Worship. ' The Coroner briefly referred to the evidence given, and the analyst’s report, which gave negative results. The report of Mr J. Pond, Colonial Analyst, stated : —“I found the'liver, kidney, and spleen all engorged as remarked by Dr. Williams. The stomach and intestines showed no evidence of inflammation, the coats of the stomach appearing normal. . Analysis of the pillow slip which had most of the vomited matter showed this to be chiefly casein e and fatty matter. Tho flat Boz bottle contain-

eu a few drop.s of opalescent liquid, having no taste, neutral to test, but gelling strongly of peppermint. Dus fluid yielded negative results to tests. The teat gave no evidence of anything adhering to it which could be in any way objectionable. The 'teething powder” was composed of sugar of milk and a- portion bgested in boiling alcohol and

evaporated, gave no evidence of alkaloidal or medicinal matter. Even assuming the presence of medicine in this'powder it must be so diluted as to be practically iuocuous, and the sugar of milk is certainly harmless. The analysis of all these exhibits are negative .as far as poisonous matter is concerned.” The verdict of the jury was that the cause of death was congestion of the stomach and bowels.