A MERE BAG OF BONES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 24 February 1914, Page 5

A MERE BAG OF BONES.

DEATH OF A NEGLECTED INFANT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchureh, Last Xight. A dreadful state of affairs was revealed at the inquest on the body of the illegitimate child of James .loscph Nolan, held at the morgue this afternoon' by Mr. 11. \V. Bishop, S.M. Tho ichild died in the house of its mother, yesterday, and there was so medical man in attendance. At the morgue Mr. Bishop invited the reporter representing the Evening News to have a look at the body. The reporter did so, and was horrified at what he saw. The poor little body was in a frightful condition of emaciation, and appeared to have, died of starvation. The little arms and legs were no thicker than a man's thumb, and tho bones showed plainly under the skin. 'lt's a mere bag of bones," said Mr. Bishop. "It is a,most dreadful state of affairs. Really, with some of the cases I have had to deal with lately I don't know what the city is coming to. This child seems' to have been neglected from the start. I have never seen anything like it."

Dr. V. G. Westejira stated the cause of death wag malnutrition. Mary Ann Nolan, a married woman, said that she had not seen her husband for four years and did not know where he was. He had left her. They had not been legally separated. Witness had had four children altogether and two were dead. The first two were l>y her husband, the others being illegitimate. Both illegitimate children were now dead. Mr. Bishop: It's a funny thing that both illegitimate children are dead! Witness: Yes, sir, the other one died in the hospital from whooping cough and convulsions. The deceased was horn on January !l. it had been delicate since birth. Witness did not .suckle it but started feeding it on parent food. The coroner recorded a verdict that the child died from malnutrition.