A BABY’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1920, Page 2

A BABY’S DEATH

A Coronial enquiry into th£ circujustances surrounding the death of a baby a day old in bed, was held yesterday morning before Mr E. C. Levvy, fe.M-, Coroner, at Greymouth. The mother of the child was Mrs Ethel Jones, of Tnnimtjkau. , Dr-J. \V. -Ucßreafty, registered medical practitioner, said that lie was called to Mrs Jones’ residence on May 31st. He found that Mrs Jones had given birth to a child and that it was quite healthy. When lie called again on June Ist, lie found, on, examination, that,the baby was dead. There were no-marks of violence on the boclj’l In his opinion death was clue to asphyxia, caused by overlaying. It was easy for a mother to fall off to sleep, hut the danger of overlaying was very great. The practice of taking babies toJied was strongly discouraged by medical men, yet it was a common practice. Ethel Dora Jones, said she was the wife of Henry Edward Jones, and resided jat Taramakau river. On May 31st she'gave birth to a child, and was attended by Dr J.' W. Mcßreqrt.y. The following morning the child had a slight hemorrage. The child was placed in hei bed at midnight on pie 31st, and, after eryjng a little, went to sleep. She next 1001/ed at tjie child at 2 o’dpek the following morning, whop she gave it a drink. When she picked it up again it was quite dead. To the Coroner: Witness did not thigh that she went off to sleep after giving the child u drink. She could not sleep at all. ' ' ‘ •

Continuing witness said that there was a hole in the wire mattress and that the baby lijad slipped down into it, being smothered by the clothes.

Henry Edward Jones. 43 years of age, husband of the previous witness, said he resided with his wife at Taramakau river. His wife gave birth to a male child at 1 a.m. on May 31st, and was attended by J)r Mcßrearty. The child was in hod.with his wife at 9.39 p.m. that day and it was quite . all right. When lip got up at 7 a.m. next morning he went into ask how the baby was and his wife said it was asleep. It was not crying and shortly afterwards life found it was dead. The booty was warm, so he wired away immediately for a doctor. His wife had been through a severe ordeal. She was the mother of nine children, eight being still living, ltjvas his opinion that his wife must have fallen asleep. The (er ».’!■ returned a verdict of asphyxiation, being possibly caused by being inadvertently overlaid in the bed.