DEATH FROM TETANUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 24 July 1909, Page 3

DEATH FROM TETANUS.

On Thursday a young man mamed William Prew was seized with an attack of tetanus (lockjaw) the result of an ulcerated leg. He was removed to the Palmerston -Hospital and died yesterday morning at four-o’clock. The young fellow was about 23 years of age arid was well-known locally. He was employed! with his father at Messrs Hennessy and Gibbs’ flaxmill, repairing fences. He had been employed there for some time, but had taken a few days off the week before and had returned to work on the Monday evening. On Wednesday morning he complained of not feeling well and his face was slightly swollen. During the afternoon he told the paddockers that he did not think he would come to work the following day (Thursday) as he was riot at all well. He knocked off work at about 5.15 p.m., and after dressing his leg went into tea. On the food being placed before him he said he did not feel well enough to eat it. A few seconds later he was seized with an attack of tetanus but recovered shortly afterwards. He refused to allow his father to send for medical assistance as be considered he would be alright in the morning. Mrs Carroll placed a boat and trap at Mr Prew sen’s., disposal in which to convey him to Foxton, but this the young fellow also refused. He had a very bad night and in the morning was much worse. One of the mill hands was sent into Foxton and informed Mr Gibbs who immediately sent out a doctor. On arrival at the mill the doctor ordered his immediate removal to the Palmerston Hospital. Mr Gibbs stopped the mill and the mill hands carried him on a stretcher to Oroua Bridge, a distance of about five miles, where the ambulance from Palmerston met them and conveyed him to the Palmerston Hospital where he died at four o’clock yesterday morning. A subscription list was subsequently opened at the mill headed by the owners and up to the present a sum of 9s has been collected.

The owners of the mill speak in very high terms of the deceased’s conduct and he was always on the best ot terms with his employers and fellow-workers.