WOMAN'S ILLNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

WOMAN'S ILLNESS.

MEDICAL TREATMENT.

DOCTOR AJMD HERBALIST,

DEATH FOLLOWS DISPUTE,

Hifi encounter with a. herbalist in the house of a dying woman, and his decision to remain on condition that he was in sole charge of the case, were features of an unusual story told by a doctor at a Loughborough inquest. The inquiry was into the deatli of Mrs. Rosalie May Dakin, 40, of Ashby Road, Loughborough. The North Leicestershire coroner, Mr. H. J. Deane, explained that Charles Treweek, a Loughborough herbalist, had treated Mrs. Dakin for asthma for some years. He was fetched to her when she had an attack, and later in the day she became so ill that Dr. Tunnicliffe was called, although he had never previously attended Mrs. Dakin, and knew nothing of her.

He found she was obviously in a serious condition, and gave her a sedative. He then went back to his. surgery to get drugs for her heart. "When he returned he found Treweek leaving the house, and he told the woman's husband he would not treat her in conjunction with an unqualified person. "He was perfectly correct in saying that, whatever Mr. Treweek's skill in his own line," commented the coroner, who went on to refer to "these regrettable" cases where people .are treated by an unqualified man, and at length a qualified practitioner to called in to give a certificate of death, if necessary.

Public Interest. ,: I have got to consider the public," the coroner added, "and it is from the public point of view that I shall hold this investigation. Let me say at once that any adult person of ordinary sound mind can, if they wish, be treated by anyone, qualified or not.

"There is no obligation on anyone to call in a medical practitioner, but they frequently expect a qualified man to come in at the last moment and save them from the onus of an inquest."

The husband, Ernest Dakin, a chartered architect, stated that Treweek had attended his wife at her own wish, and his treatment for the last five years had been very effective.

Charles Treweek, describing himself as •a medical herbalist and masseur, of Leicester Road, Loughborough, told the coroner he held a degree of the National Association of Medical Herbalists, having obtained it by examination. He had attended Mrs. Dakin for five years for periodic attacks of asthma. He found her, on her last attack, much worse than usual, and suggested sending for a doctor.

Coroner: After the doctor arrived, did you treat her or prescribe for her in any way?—No, sir.

You remained in the house during that time ?—Yes.

In what capacity? As a friend?— Yes, as a friend. Return from Surgery. Dr. S. T. Tiuinicliffe stated that he thought Mrs. Dakin was seriously ill, and after giving her an injection went to his surgery for a heart drug. "I was dumbfounded to see how terribly ill she was, and to see Mr. Treweek coming from her room," the doctor continued, "and it was not made clear to me at all that she had been treated by him.

"I told Mr. Dakin I could not possibly have anything to do with the case if an unqualified man was dealing with it, but he reassured me, and I undertook to continuo the treatment. That was on the understanding that I was in sole charge of the case."

The doctor added that he had no reason to suppose that Mrs. Dakin's death was due to any previous treatment.

A juryman : Do you think Mrs. Dakin's life might have been saved or prolonged if she had had proner medical treatment? —Dr. Tunnicliffe: That is very difficult to answer, and I would sooner not do so.

The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes, brought about by asthma.