MATRON ACQUITTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1934, Page 13

MATRON ACQUITTED.

KAIKOURA HOSPITAL CASE. WOMAN PATIENT'S DEATH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. A verdict of not guilty was returned in the case against Edith Laura Francis, a nurse, who was formerly matron of the Kaikoura Hospital, and who was charged in the. Supremo Court to-day with manslaughter, in that being in charge of a patient, she did not take sufficient care, with the result that her alleged neglect led to the death of the patient.

Mrs. Lilian Rhoda James, a maternity patient at the hospital, died in October after an enema had been given by accused, who was relieving the maternity nurse ordinarily in charge of the ward. It was discovered that the basin used by accused in giving the enema had contained carbolic acid left in a cupboard by the maternity nurse. The facts were riot disputed.

No evidence was called for the defence. Mr. Lascelles, counsel for accused, pleaded that the Crown had failed to prove culpable negligence. Accused had been under the impression that she was handling an innocent solution, and there was no reason why she should have expected it to be otherwise. The law required reasonable caution . and care, and not the utmost caution.

The jury gave its verdict of not guilty after 35 minutes' retirement.