BUNDABERG TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1928, Page 3

BUNDABERG TRAGEDY

(Australian A- N.Z. Cable Association.) BRISBANE, Feb. 13. The Scrum Commission appointed to investigate the deaths of the children in the Bimdnlierg Hospital, has commenced its sittings. Doctor Thompson, the local Government medical officer, who inoculated the children, gave evidence that he did not receive the usual circular warning him against bacterial contamination if the serum were used over a period, and urging that it be wholly used immediately. The bottle containing the serum was stored in a cool surgery. He bad examined it regularly and saw no turbidity in it till the day of the tragedy. He had not previously administered a similar serum, and Ip id had no experience in the Schick test. After the syringe needle was used, it was plunged into methylated spirits and then used for the next inoculation, j The syringe had not been used ' for months before the fatal inoculations were made. His nurse had charge of the sterilising of instruments on each inoculation day. The serum was transported between the surgery and the Council Chambers, where the inoculation was done, and the rubber capped serum bottle was sterilised. Doctor Richards, pathologist, said the cause of death appeared to be acute toxaemia. Tt was a toxin of some sort in the infection. He could not ascribe it to any organism. Ihe toxin seemed to centre on the central nerve system.

Doctor Murray, of the Federal Depnrtment of Health, said lie uudeistood that a. bottle of serum received by Dr Thompson did not contain the circular warning as to its quick use. His name was not in the list of those who received tbe circulars.