A SHOCKING DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 232, 19 February 1913, Page 5

A SHOCKING DEATH.

SEPTIC POISONING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. An inquest on the body of John McLennau, aged 28, who died yesterday as the result of injuries sustained at Patearoa on February 1, was held to-day. Medical evidence showed that when the deceased was admitted to the hospital on the Gth inst., he was suffering from a double fracture of the lower jaw which was in a septic state. There was also a large inflammatory mass on the right side of the neck, and bruises about the upper parts of the chest. He was placed under the charge of Dr. Pickerel], and an operation performed. The condition of the parts affected was extremely septic and, from the continual absorption of poisonous matter, he gradually became worse and died 1 as the result of saptic poisoning. The deceased was unable to speak distinctly and nothing could be learned from him as to how he received the injuries. 'Hie cavitv of the mouth was in a continually septic state, and owing to the nature of the location of the wounds, it would have been very difficult, to keep them in an anti-septic condition. The coroner said that it was unfortunate that no one had seen the accident, but there was no doubt it was pure accident and no Ida me was attached to anyone. He would find a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.