SUDDEN DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3035, 13 May 1926, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH.

CORONIAL INQUIRY. An inquest touching the death of Martha-., Thow, wife of Mr. George Thow, of Oroua Downs, was held before Air. T. Brown, coroner, at the residence of Air. George Thow on Tuesday afternoon. George Thow, husband of deceased stated that his late wife was 68 years of age. During the last six months deceased had been in failing health, but had not been under medical treatment. Her ailment was rheumatism. Deceased went to Wellington in January last, and then to Alarton for the benefit of her health, and returned about a month ago. While in Alarton she had some teeth extracted as it was thought deceased was suffering from pyorrhea. Deceased’s health had not improved since her return. ' The day prior to her death she was a little worse and witness intended to call in a doctor. Deceased would not consent to a doctor being sent for and did not consider her illness serious. She retired to bed at about 7 p.m. on the night prior to her death, and there was then no change in her condition. At about midnight deceased complained of feeling too warm. Deceased was lying awake when witness got up at about. 5 a.m. About two hours later witness’ daughter-in-law informed witness that his wife was dying. When witness arrived in the bedroom deceased passed away. Deceased had not taken any medicine during the two or three days prior to her decease and was averse to taking medicine. Louisa Thow, daughtcrkin-law of deceased, stated that she took deceased a cup of tea at about < a.m. and found that she was dead and she immediately summoned her father-in-law, who was in the cow shed.

Constable Owen, said in response to a telephone communication he accompanied Dr. Wyllie to the home of deceased. In consequence of inquiries and witness’ knowledge of the family for a number of years, he was convinced that death was due to natural causes.

Dr. Wyllie in evidence stated that he examined the body and appearances suggested death was from failure of a senile heart. There were no marks on the body other than normal post mortem discolouration. From the appearance of the body it was highly probable that the deceased hail a fatty heart. In witness’ opinion death was probably due to fatty degeneration of a senile heart. The verdict of the coroner was of the effect that death was due to heart failure.

After declaring his verdict, the coroner extended his sympathy to the bereaved husband and family and a similar expression of sympathy was extended by Constable Owen, on behalf of the police.