A NURSE STABBED BY A PATIENT.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 12, 20 September 1901, Page 4

A NURSE STABBED BY A PATIENT.

A patient in Ward 19 of the Melbourne Hospital, named Carl, on the 24th ult. attacked Nurse Deasy, stabbing her in three places with a penknife Afterwards he cut his own throat with the same weapon. Carl, who was 68 years of age, was admitted a few days ago with a fractured thigh. Between 9 and 10 o’clock in the morning a bath was ordered for tl.e patient, and he was put into it. The nurse looked in a few minutes later, and Carl called out something which she could not distinguish. “What did you say?” the nurse asked. Without a word he rushed at the nurse and stabbed savagely at her v T ith an open knife three times. Then turning quickly round he slashed the blade of his knife across his own throat twice. By this time assistance had 'arrived. Dr Arness attended to Nurse Deasy, and found that two of the stabs had only cut through her clothing and not penetrated the skin. The ether had entered her body just below the ribs and inflicted a slight flesh wound. The shock had done the nurse more injury than the knife. On examining the patient it was found that the wound in his throat was deep, and the larynx penetrated. An operation was perfumed for his xelief, but it is doubtful whether ho will recover. Carl seems momentarily to have lost his reason. There was no motive for the attack, except peri'.aps a fear that he would soon have to leave the hospital, and ta: eto the swag and track again.