MAORI INFANT’S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 11

MAORI INFANT’S DEATH

REMOVED FROM HOSPITAL METHOD OF TREATING BURNS (Special lo Times) TAUMAIRUNUI, Tuesday The death of a two-year-old Maori boy, Louis Paiaka, was the subject of an inquest Held before the district coroner, Mr VV. Thomas. The child’s mother, Mrs Ruth Paiaka, gave evidence that the child fell toward the fire and clutched a kettle of boiling water, which was upset over his body. Dr. R. V. Ritchie gave evidence that the child was brought to him and he ordered it to be admitted to hospital. Sister Denison stated that the boy’s burns were treated with codliver oil and vaseline. After six days the patient was out of danger, but still required treatment. The mother, however, arranged the removal of the child to her home. A signed indemnity was obtained from the mother, Sister Denison stated, and the child was allowed to go on condition that the dressings were not disturbed and that the child was put under the care of the district nurse. Methods of Friend The district nurse, Nurse Sutcliffe, gave evidence that the mother of the child had been advised by another Maori woman to apply a mixture of carbolised oil and olive oil. The bums were dressed with this several times a day, the friend assisting in this work. When she discovered that the child was in a serious condition she removed these dressings, stated Nurse Sutcliffe, and replaced them with codliver oil and vaseline. The child was admitted to hospital in a critical condition and later died. The coroner returned a verdict of death from carbolic acid poisoning through dressings applied by the mother and her friend. A rider was added drawing the attention of the Director-General of Health to the case, with the suggestion that a regulation be made to give medical officers power to refuse to allow a patient to leave hospital while in a critical state of health, or in a state of health that might become critical through wrong treatment.