A SAD AFFAIR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 233, 7 February 1880, Page 2

A SAD AFFAIR.

An inquest was held at Ashburton bn Tuesday, the circunistances in connection with which were of a some what; extraordinary nature. The deceased was - Mrs the’ wife of Mr J. E. ' Buchanan / She had been ailing sinee the middle of December, and up to January 19 th had been', treated by Dr Ross. After that date, .however, her father, a’; Mr. Alfred Saunders, took charge of the case, treating-the patient hydropathlcally. This was done at the ■ wish of the deceased, and Mr Saunders stated- in evidence that he should always pre'er. to treat his own children rather than allow a medical man to do bo. On February Ist Mrs Buchanan - died. Rovss, in. his •'evidencej . stated that the deceased had been suffering from typhoid fever. : - After treating her three weeks, witness received a note stating that Mr A. Saunders'wished to treat the case hydropathlcally, and asking him; hot to . enuse the patient lany annoyancft. Dr Treyor and .witness saw her on January 19 lb, and on Sunday last at noon. Deceased was in a completely exhausted condition, so much so that he.would not , ■ attempt to. examine her. " Witness J returned at 8 o’clock, ahd found she had just died. Mr Saunders’ treatment entirely opposed to that of the witness and his (witness’s) was disregarded froth the first,, as deceased desired to he treated by‘her father. After a long retirement,

the jury returned a verdict of “ Death fr. m natural causes,” adding a rider to the effect that “they strongly disapproved of any ■ other''than legally qualified medical men undertaking the conduct of serious cases.”