MARRIED WOMAN'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 29 May 1918, Page 3

MARRIED WOMAN'S DEATH.

INQUEST AT HAMILTON.

; (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Tuesday. The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Catherine Brown was resumed, this morning. Dr. Garland, who made a post-mortem examination, gave evidence as to the condition of the body, which was that of a well-nourished woman. Death was due to collapse, following certain Injuries. It was possible for the injuries to have been self-inflicted. He saw no evidence of drugs. Dr. F. C. Blundell, resident house surgeon at Waikato Hospital, gave corroborative evidence. He said it was possible the injury was self-inflicted., but not probable. Henry Charles Brown, husband of deceased, was advised by the coroner that he was not bound to answer any ques- j tion likely to incriminate himself. He i deposed that his wife told him •of her! condition about a week before death, and expressed her intention to "do something." He advised her not to do so. He had procured a box of regulatinar pilU from Auckland ten years ago at the re-1 quest of his wife, who complained of j I terrible pains at certain periods. His' J wife was taken bad during his absence on the Sth inst.. and upon his return he, j with Mrs. Hunt (his sister-in-law) I applied hot fomentations throughout the ! night, and summoned medical advice next : morning. The doctor advised her removal to the hospital. Upon returning to Frankton Mrs. Huut told witness that; deceased had told her the previous day that she had used an instrument on herself, and he at once returned to the hospital and informed the doctor. When he ordered the regulating pills he had no intention of securinc a miscarriage. His wife was in bad health. ] Lily Rosri Hunt, a sister of the dei ceased, deposed that deceased came to her house at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, May IS, complained of being seriously ill, and admitted having used an instru- ; ment on herself. There was nothing un- ! usual in her condition while she was in witness , house, and nothing was done for I her. At about 7 p.m. deceased, in answer jto a message, went to her sister's house, and found her sister in bed. She complained of dreadful pains in her left side. j Witness remained with her until 5 a.m., j and with the husband, who came home : at about 7.30 p.m., applied hot plates and fomentations throughout the night. Dr. I Hall was summoned, and he arrived at about 10.30 a.m. He stated that deceased was suffering from acute appendicitis and yellow jaundice, and ordered the patient's immediate removal to* the hospital. Witness did not tell Dr. Hall; on the Sunday morning what deceased i I had told her. Vvhen the doctor diagnosed, the case as acute appendicitis and jaundice witness thought it was so. and did i not associate the illness with the use of the instrument. She did pot tell Brown I that deceased had stated that ehe had I used an instrument until deceased was | in the hospital, and they had returned to the mother's house at Franiton. The coroner eaid it was a most extraordinary- thing that this witness did not ' tell either the doctors or Brown what i deceased had admitted. i Brown stated that the matter might ' have been mentioned to him on the Saturday night, for everything was in a' state of turmoil in the house, but he J could not remember it bein? done. j The coroner stated th\t in view of the' turn of events it was regrettable that Mrs. Hunt had not had counsel to watch her interests, but he had no knowledge. of the nature of the evidence. ° i The inquest was adjourned till Wed-' nesday next, June 5, to secure addi-1 tional medical evidence, and the coroner' advised Mrs. Hunt to be represented by J counsel .-when the inquiry was resumed. ■'