DISCHARGED WITH FRACTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1927, Page 4

DISCHARGED WITH FRACTURE

FTiO.M CHRISTCiIUIIC'H HOSPITAL

CHRISTCHURCH. July 11. “I am going to get to the bottom of tin's—it .seems an extraordinary thing that such a fracture should not ho detected." said 1 lie Coroner. Mr I*l. D. Mosley, on Saturday, at the inquest concerning the death of an elderly woman. The deceased. Mrs Elizabeth ArcKnight. the evidence .showed, was admitted to the hospital as the result of a fall from a tramcar, but was later discharged. Some days later she was again brought to the hospital amt suo--sequent Iv died, a post-molten examination revealing find death war. dee in a fracture at the bass of tlie skull. A bouse surgeon at the hospital. Dr A. \V. Wilkinson, said that on June loth the woman was admitted to the hospital. He examined her. and the only injury he. could find was a swelling at the back of the skull. .Site smelt of liquor and her speech was rambling The swelling on the skull could have been caused by a tall from a tram. I)r It. Bake well, physician at the hospital, said that he saw the woman on June fifth. when site was uncou--einiis. Dr Crooke had sent her there with a report that he suspected cerebral haemorrhage. Witness believed that she had cerebral haemorrhage. There was a recently-healed wound on the hack of her head, it was too long after the injury for any examination to have revealed a fracture ol the skull. She died on June 30th. Emma. Rankin said that on June loth, albotit 5.15 p.m. she was a passenger oil a tram from Sockburn. when Airs A!, (Knight got on board. Witness did not notice any signs of liquor. Airs AlcKnigbl asked whether the vehicle was a tram or a bus. When told it was a tram she got up and walked on to the platform. The tram was stopped suddenly a, minute later. To Air Snow, witness said she did not think either file conductor or motorman had an opportunity ol preventing the woman stepping oil the tram. The tram motorman, Charles Arthur Raker, said he saw Alt's Ale Knight board the tram at Sockburn. A,lter the tram had started lie saw her on the platform and slackened speed. I hen she stepped on to the step, and witness immediately applied the emergeuev brake. Ibe car had been travelling at about 10 miles per hour. "and slopped within 35 lent. 'I lie woman was lying on tin* road with her head in the direction the tram was going. She had evidently got oil (be tram facing the wrong way. A conductor. James William Taylor, snid Hint Airs Ale Knight hoarded the 1 ram trailer in iho Square and travelled to Sockburn. Witness assisted her to alight. Site appeared muddled and walked towards the bus at Sockburn. When witness next saw her she was lying on the road. X-RAY EXAMINATION. Or Ella. Langley, a bouse surgeon ; ,| tile hospital, said she saw Airs AleKnight soon after her admission to the hospital on June 15tl). Slie smelt strongly of liquor, and was rambling in her speech. Her only injury was a swelling on the back of the bead. \\ it ness ordered certain treatment. and next day bad an X-ray examination made of the patients’ skull. The X-

ELDERLY AY OMAN'S DEATfI

rav department- ropsrtcd’Hint in lf;tfttiro was found. Airs McTCnight. owing to her improved ronditioii. iva- discharged tin June V.ltli. To the Coroner, witness said she could not detect. from tlm X-ray photographs, any sign of a fracture. |)r Snnd.xton. the senior honorary surgeon ,examined the patient on .Tone 17 th. latter T)r Sandston agreed when witness told him she thought the patient lit to discharge.

The Coroner, referring to t,ho 'pathologist’s report, said that there was a, fracture three inches long. “fs it not wonderiul that this was not detected at the time S'” he asked “To discharge a woman with such a fracture seems an extraordinary thing. Witness: She had no symptoms of a fracture.

The Coroner: Did Dr Sandston not sa.v she had a tracturo or anything like that?—No. "This shows how absolutely necessary it is to exercise the. greatest wire.” said the Coroner. “Dr Pearcon’s report states that, there was haemorrhage, a fracture of the skull, and laceration of the brain. It is possible that the woman might, have lived had this been known."

Dr Fox said that a fracture at the base of the skull would not he clear in life. The Coroner: f quite appreciate (that. Dr Fox said that only an X-ray would reveal, during life the fracture* if 'the skull and the X-ray did not show it The Coroner said that it seemed extraordinary thalt the X-ray should be negative. “What I want to make clear,” lie added “is that if there is any suspicion of a tract lire a senior should lie called into consultation. It i- not fair to ask any junior to assume the responsibility.’’ Dr Fox said that regulations provided for that. The Coroner; Oh 1 am quite sure any experienced superintendent would have scuh regulations. “T want to get tj the bottom of this,” he said. Dr Sandston should he present at the enquiry He was the senior officer and it was not lair to put the whole responsibility on a | junior. 1 To -Mr Snow, the Coroner said that ! there was no question of any negligence on the part, of the r l ramway Hoard men. Their actions had been ’ admirable in the circumstances. ; The inquest was adjourned until 2.31.1 p.m. to-day.