NURSE’S TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1929, Page 3

NURSE’S TRAGEDY

FOLLOWS CHILD BIRTH. (By Telegraph—Per Prqss Association.) AUCKLAND, September 19. Medical evidence that nothing beyond influenza- was suspected during the whole of her illness was given to-day at the inquest on Miss Lily Wall, aged 29, formerly nurse and latterly assistant at the Auckland Mental Hospital, who died in the institution on September 10. On the day of her death, the body of a baby girl was found in a suitcase in her room. The evidence showed it was stillborn.

Mr Hunt, S.M., conducted the inquiry. A verdict was returned that death was due to septicaemia.

The Coroner said that the woman had successfully concealed her condition. There was no negligence on the part of the medical officers, and she gave them no assistance. There was no blame attachable to anyone.

Evidence was given that the woman was very stout, and that she probably weighed between 15 and 16 stone. When she became unwell her complaint was diagnosed as influenza. On no occasion during her illness did she intimate in any way, that she was, or bad been pregnant. She made light of her illness.

Dr Gilmour who made post mortem of the body of Miss Wall, said that the body was that of a very obese young woman. There were signs that she had been pregnant, and there were traces of septicaemia. The cause of death was puerperal sepsis, and pulmonary thrombosis. A post mortem examination of the body of the female infant found in Miss Wall’s room at the Mental Hospital was also carried out by Dr Gilmour. • The baby weighed 2-1 lb. From his examination the doctor deducted that the child was a full-time baby. It was stillborn. I'liere were no traces of violence.