WIDOW’S CLAIM FAILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1032, 24 July 1930, Page 6

WIDOW’S CLAIM FAILS

CANCER GROWTH FROM INJURY NOT PROVED “The degree of knowledge so far attained by the medical profession about cancer is very indefinite, and very speculative. Thus, consideration of any compensation claim, in which this disease is involved, has to be approached with a considerable amount of reserve.” This comment was made by Mr. Justice Frazer in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon, in non-suiting Frances Jeffs, widow of William Henry Jeffs, in her claim for compensation for her husband’s death, against a retired farmer, William Thomas, of Mount Albert. In November, 1928, according to the widow, Jeffs, in striking a cow lightly with his open hand, struck the end of his ring finger on one of the animal’s bones. The blow injured the metacarpal bone of his hand. He was incapacitated from April 19 to July 7, 1929, and in October last he developed cancer, from which he died on June .

3, 1930, and which, it was cla.ii*.* was caused by the injury. Hr. W. Gilmour. pathologist at Auckland Hospital, who was caliad kJ the court, said that after re-exam£‘ a piece of tissue submitted t from the deceased’s hand, he w»* U,a opinion that in addition to inflaaia»? tion there was evidence of sarc«r?~ It was possible for osteogenic &&rr?r, to develop without the patient’s ledge. Dr. S. A. Bull considered that n. original accident caused a Might ejff* sion of blood under the surfa** L the bone. * « His Honour In delivering the court’ decision, said the medical evideu * fell short of the proof required by th court.