THE PLAGUE CASE IN AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 June 1907, Page 2

THE PLAGUE CASE IN AUCKLAND.

——♦ DEPI'TATIUX TO ill! i'OWLDS. lV'i' Press Association. Auckland, June 12.

A deputation I'rom the Women's l'oliti- | Ciil League and tlic Women's Christian Temperance L'nion waited upon the lion. Mr Fowlds with reference to the death of .Miss McMillan, of I'al'nell. .Mr. Dnldv, who introduced the, nialter, said Miss" McMillan's dealh had given rieu to grave coninient. They were <>l <>]iiiii<tu That an enquiry should he held lo make it clear what really was the cause of death. No one had given any reason why she was taken to the hospital against her own wishes, and those of her friends. They asked for inquiry lo satisfy everyone whether the treatment she received was necessary or not. .Miss McMillan, an elder sister of the deceased, gave the Minister Liu- history of the case. Dr. I'urdy, Health Ollicer, was present, and said death was due lo plague,l hough it took place in Auckland on Hie way to tlic hospital, lie ipiite admitted the treatment she had received unforluiialcIV hastened her end.

' .Miss .McMillan: Are plague patients alwavs left to themselves, without anything done for tliemV Are they allowed to die? If you or a nurse had come she would have gone to the hospital willingly. 1 think it was a most cruel thing to send her by herself, and she should have had further treatment. Mr. Fowlds said steps must be taken to prevent anything of the kind in future. The Department had no objection to an inquiry, but that could do no good. 'The evidence, was clear as to the cause of deall". and facts as to the removal to the hospital were clear, and admitted. They did not deny that Miss McMillan Went alone ill the ambulance to the hospital, and that she died while in the ambulance.

.Miss McMillan: She died from fear; nothing else hut fright.

Dr. I'urdy: That would not cause the post mortem appearances we saw. T ipiite admit that going alone to the hospital must have hastened her end. '.Miss McMillan: Do all plague patients die '!

"Dr. Purely: No. About one ill three. We linve lnul live cases uiulor observatfon 'since Miss McMillan's dcntli, Iml they have been proved to lie only cases of suspicion. The deputation then withdrew.