Ah Untimely Death.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8140, 2 June 1906, Page 6

Ah Untimely Death.

(I'er Press /WociaUon 1 . DUN ED IN. June 1. The inquest has beuit resumed on the body of Kathleen Matthewson, single, who died recently under suspicious circumstances. Dr. Emily Siedeberg. who was present: while Dr. Church examined the patient under chloroform in the house of Mrs Norman, nurto, said Mrs Nomiari in mentioning witness' fee, staled it would be all right , as a man had promised to pay everything. In witm-is* opinion death was enustd by septicoemia brought about by tise presence of pus caused by a ruptured ab:-ecs«, a condition that could not bavs; been caused by drugs W bat; was dune was probably that some persun not a skilled eurgecn bad used an instrument Dr Koberis, who mavh' the ]»<»![ mortem, said the dvet ajied's condition could ou'iy Skivc arsx'ii from septic fntcrferenee from wiihuui "Wiwre tliere wan w>p : ..ion of erimiual interference m the c;-.<e of a jtatienfr who had been moribund or was expected to die, he should commumnite with the police. IL* did nut think he vould. though, where there was a chance of recovery, even though he knew an illegal operation had been performed. 'He would not (Vein il his duty to inform the police while lie hoped for recovery. He would not give away a patient who went to a medical man m confidence until death v/ais afterwards probable.

The jury retunifd a verdict that the cause of death way septieorujiii, the result of an illegal ion, but by whom performed there was not suilicieat evidence to .show. The jury also . expressed regret that ihe ]>i>hre had uot Ijeezi infv-ruied by the doctor or the I:;nurie of the eireumjftiuiee* of the ease : XlKimediutely after the exajniinitiou had proved that au illegal operation hud p._ ;Wc:i performed.