SUICIDE IN SANATORIUM

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1916, Page 2

SUICIDE IN SANATORIUM

COMMENT BY THE CORONER. Christehureh. June 2i. James Edward Oranville, aged fortyfour, a school teacher residing at Barhadoes street, St. Albans, who had been suffering for some time from neurasthenia mid who had been under treatment at the Papanui Sanatorium, cut his throat yesterday with a razor and died later in the hospital. At the inquest this afternoon, Gustav Arthur Brandstater, a trained male nurse, deposed that he was in charge of the sanatorium. The institution took all classes of patients. Deceased applied on Monday for admittance as a patient, and Dr. Orchard, his physician, concurred. Witness treated iiim with electric baths and massage. Dr. Orchard came up and entered deceased's name on the sanatorium register as suffering from neurasthenia. Deceased showed no signs of wishing to commit suicide. Had he done so witness would not have admitted him. Witness thought he discovered traces of mental weakness in deceased, but he was 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 Adventists. It was a vegetarian institution, and they used no stimulants.

"I shall report tlii3 to the InspectorGeneral of Hospitals, and I warn you that von arc taking a great risk in taking- these neurasthenic patients." said the coroner, Mr. H. \V. Bishop. Are you licensed?" "Yes," said the witness. "You may get your license cancelled. JUowever, you are quite safe. You 'asked for the doctor's advice and acted it; but still you are. running a great, v Doctors may send patients there s "flv to please their friends." * verdict was recorded of suicide l v in a state of unsound mind.