INQUEST.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 78, 27 September 1879, Page 2

INQUEST.

SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD. FTonry M"'Neil,Esq.. Deputy Coroner, held an rnquesf on Thursday morning, at Taonui, touching the death of Ttobertina Elizabeth Memliery, child aged seven years, who ha 1 ! died suddenly, on Monday, the 22nd instant. The following are the names of the jury: — John BouU'erDungan (foreman), Donald Downie Walker. "Kobert Kirk, William Francis Brogden, Thomas Tfniffht, Henry Morn's, Tspac William Lovelofk, Samuel John "Relf. William Fnrmer, Alexander Mitchell, Charlos HeDry Smi^h., and Thomas Coopr . After the Jix'rv had viewed the body, tL j follovrtng evidence was taken. ; — George Memhery deposed •. On Sunday, morning the deceased awoke shortly before daylujht. complaining of pains m her back, whifli T thought might have arisen From lying m the one position, so I told her to change to her side. Havin * done so she remained quiet until si.i o'clock, lier usual iAme qf getting uj>,

when she complained that her side was sore. She then got up and dressed herself, remaining as usual m the kitchen until the breakfast was ready, when she had some corn flour— ruot a great deal. Shortly afterwards she again complained saying that she w T ould like to lie down, she went to the bedroom and lay down with her clothes on. As she didjnot get up, the clothes were taken of? her, but when I went to see her she said she felt all right. Tasked my wife if she had had any opening medicine during the past few days, and I was told that she had had some senna tea a few days previously. I advised her getting some castor oil, as I thought it could do her no harm, so she got a spoonful. Although I had been to her bedside frequently during the day she did not complain, unfil I wanted her to sit up. when she complained of her back, which she sairl I was hurting, and she was allowed folio, still. She said she did not feel pain while she was lying still. About one m the aftPinoon she took some j broth, and about an hour afterwards the oil began to operate. During the evening she perspired very much, but still did not. feel any pain while allowed to lie still. We went to bed about ten o'clock ; she slept well, not even disturbing us oncej and m the morning she said she felt a good deal better. I went about my usual work, and at breakfast timo asked her if she would have anything to eat, when she asked for a little corn flour, which was made and given to her. When breakfast was over I asked her if she would get up, but she said she did not want to, but I pressed her, and told her that T would help her. When I went to lift her up, she complained again of hurting her back, so. I laid her down again, m order that I might get the horse to the trap to go m to Palmerston to consult a doctor. When I reached Dr. Marriner's place at about ten o'clock he was not at home, so I waited m town till about one or two, and whon I sa w him I told him how the child was affected, and he prescribed for her, and I went to the chemist, got the parscription made up, and came away home, When I arrived home I found the child was just gasping her last breath. I then took the horse out of the trap, put the saddle and bridle on, and got a man to start back to Palmerston, for the doctor, but before he could have got a mile on his journey the child was dead. To the Foreman : The child has never been a very healthy one, although, she has never been laid up with illness sinco she had the bronchitis, some years ago. I am the father of the deceased, who was born at Foxton, seven years and five month 1 ! ago. Hugh Marriner deposed : I am a legally qualified medical practitioner, residing at Palmerston. On Monday about. two o'clock I saw the last witness at my house. TTe told me his child, was ailing, nnd asked me to prescribe for her. T ordered a simple saline mixture, and arranged that if the patient were not better, he should send'a message the following morning. About four or five the same afternoon a messenger arrived asking me to go at once, and I did so, but found on my arrival that the child was dea-i. I received an m'cler from Mr. M'Neil, J.P., to make a,po.stmorUm, examination, which I hf>M. yesterday afternoon. From the external appear■ince I concluded that the child had died from some throat disease ; but on examining the windpipe and lungs I found them highly congested, m the first stage of inflamatton, oc what is called m medi- | cal parlance pulmonary apoplexy. That was the pause of death. Even had I , gone with Mr. Membery I think it would have been then too late ; and also it would have been impossible for a medical man to judge of the seriousness of the case by the. symptoms described by another. ' This concluded the evidence, and after a few minutes' deliberation the jury returned the following verdict : — "That the deceased ltobertina Elizabeth Membery, came by her death at Taonui, on the 22nd day of September, 1879, through natural cause?!, the Jury \ being of opinion that the disease was. according to the medical evidence, ' Pulmonary apoplexy.' "