SUICIDE IN SANATORIUM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 70, 27 June 1916, Page 3

SUICIDE IN SANATORIUM.

COMMENT BY THE CORONER.

! Per-Press Association. j Christchurch, June 21. James Edward Granville, aged fortyfour, a school teacher residing at Barbados street. St. Albans, who had been suffering for some time from 'neurasthenia, and who had heen under 'treatment at the Papanui Sanatorium, I cut his throat yesterday with a razor 'and died later in the hospital. I At the inauest this afternoon Gus'tav Arthur Brandstater, a trained male nurse, deposed that he was rn charge of the sanatorium. The institution took all classes of patients. Deceased applied on Monday for admittance as a patient, and Dr. Orch,'ard, his phvsician, concurred. Witness treated him with electric baths 'and massage. Dr. Orchard came up and entered deceased's name on the sanatorium reeister as suffering from neurasthenia. Deceased showed no signs of wishing to commit suicide. Hlad he done so witness would not have admitted him. Witness thought he discovered traces of mental weakness in deceased, but he \vas reassured by conversation with deceased and the assurance of Dr. Orchard, and put down the peculiarities as due to deceased's deafness. The sanatorium belonged to'the Seventh Day Advejitists. Tt was a vegetarian institution, and they useo no stimulants. j "I shall report l this to the 1 Tnspoc-' tor-General of Hospitals, and I warn you tha.t you' are 'taking a great' risk' 'in taking'these -neurasthenic patients," said the coroner. Mi- H; W. ■ Bishop. "Are you'.'licensed P" ' '•". j "Yes," said the'witness! ' "You'may get your license cancelled. However, you* are quite safe. You asked for the doctor's advice ant] ailed on it; but • still -you are running a great risk. Doctors may send patients there simply to please their friends." "••*,;: | A verdict was recorded of suicide I while in a state ofijin sound mind.