INQUEST AT OTAKI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4990, 21 March 1877, Page 2

INQUEST AT OTAKI.

An inquest was held at the Telegraph Hotel, Otaki, on the. 18th innt., before. Dr. Hanson, coroner, on the body of David" Knokes, an infant half-caste.

It appeared that the childwas Buffering from an inflammatory eruption resembling measles. He was shownrto Dr. Hanson on.the 10th February,, who prescribed * aperient' powdera, and heard no more of the case. The child mended a.little, ...but did. not recover its. health. Mr; George Spademan then saw the child, and prescribed for" it until thelSth, when it died from mortification. . ... G. Spackman on, oath deposed that the child had a cough and worms; and that its chest sounded hollow. * He„ did not put his ear to the-chest. He told the mother what the disease was—that the child was suffering from water on the chest. Did not,examine the urine If the child could have answered questions he could :have:told what was the matter with it, but not without He believed the child had-water on -tho chest -He ordered wine and quinine to be given. He had, studied medicine, and practised it for thirty-five; years with greater success than most men in the colony. He applied a blister, and considered the blister acted as he could have wished. He was to be well paid if the child recovered, but not otherwise.'. ; ' From" the 'mother's evidence' it .appeared .that. the...child had. no dangerous; Symptoms until the blister was applied. The. jury were unanimous, in- the opinion that the death of the child was caused by th# injudicious application of a blister, and cautioned Mr. Spackman against undertaking duties for which he was J unqualified and unlicensed.