AN AUCKLAND PLAGUE CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8463, 13 June 1907, Page 5

AN AUCKLAND PLAGUE CASE.

DEATH OF MISS McMILLAN. DEPUTATION WAIT UPON HON. G. FOWLDS. Hy Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 12.. A deputation from the Women's Political League and Women's Christian Temperance Union waited upon the Hon. G. Fowlds with reference to the death, of Mi>s McMillan, of Parnell.

Mrs Daldy. who introduced the matter, said that Miss McMillan's death had given rise to grave comment. They were of opinion that an inquiry should be held to make it clear what really was the cause of death. No one had given any reason whyshe\.vas taken to the hospital against her own wishes and those of her friends. They asked for an inquiry to satisfy everyone whether the treatment she received was necessary or not. \ Miss McMillan, an elder sister of ths deceased, gave the Minister the history of the case. Dr. Purdy, Health Officer, was present, and said that death was due to plague. Though it took place in Auckland on the way to the hospital, he quite admitted that the treatment she had received unfortunately hastened her end. Miss McMillan: Are plague patients always left to themselves, without anything being done for them? Are they allowed to die? If you or a nurse had come she would have gone to the hospital willingly. I 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 too the cause of death, and the facts as to removal to the hospital were clear and admitted. They did not deny that Miss McMillan went alone in the ambulance to the hospital, and that she died while in the ambulance. Miss McMillan: She died from fear. Nothing else than fright. Dr Purdy: That would not cause the post-mortem appearances we saw. I quite admit that going alone to the hospital mu3t have hastened her end.

Miss McMillan: Do all plague patients die?. Dr. Purdy: No; about one in three. We have had five cases under observation since Miss McMillan's death, but they have been proved to be only cases of suspicion. The deputaticn then withdrew.