Second Edition. INQUEST ON A CHILD

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 48, 28 October 1913, Page 6

Second Edition. INQUEST ON A CHILD

DEATH FROM PNEUMONIA. An inquest was held at the Courthouse this morning into the circumstances surrounding the death of Allen James Pivac, the infant son of Samuel J. Pivac.. Mr C. D. Sole acted as Coroner. The following jury were empanhelled: Messrs H. J- Hopkins (foreman), G. Jackson, W., H. Bobinsoh, E. G. Foster, D. Beaumont and A. Moon. Fanny Pivac, wife of Samuel Pivac,

gave evidence that the boy was four

months old. The death occurred be- / tweeli eleven o’clock on Sunday night and half-past seven o’clock on Monday morning. He had been healthy since birth. On Thursday last ho contracted a cold and witness treated him. She rubbed him with oil, gave him oil to drink and kept him warm. He had been born with a cold. On Sunday

morning ffie boy seemed to be in excellent spirits though he was still suffering from the cold. There was nothing to indicate that he was suffering from anything more serious than a cold in the head. The boy had arrowroot biscuits at 5 p.m. and a bottle of milk on going to bed about 9 o’clock on Sunday night. He was put to sleep in the perambulator, which stood in the bedroom, At eleven o’clock the baby cried, but went to sleep again after being given seme milk. On rising about half past.seven on Monday morning witness discovered that the child was dead. Witness had one other child, which she had brought up herself.

Dr. Steven gave evidence that he was called to Mrs Pi vac’s about eight o’clock on Monday morning. He found the baby dead in the perambulator. There was nothing to show the cause of death. Acting on instructions he held an inquest on Monday afternoon, and as a result he was of opinion that death was caused by asphyxia, which

was caused by bronchial pneumonia. He found nothing else which could be the cause of death. The symptoms of pneumonia were not such as to be apparent to an inexperienced person. The body was,well nourished. If the parents had had much experience they would, have sent for medical aid. It was quite possible for the symptoms of“pneumonia to be mistaken for those of a cold.' The body did not disclose any indications of neglect in any way. There was some discoloration on the right side of the body, but this was a result of the post mortem examination and hail not been caused .pribito death. This discoloration was fairly common, following on a body remaining in one position for some time. "The jury returned a verdict that death was due to bronchial pneumonia.