INQUEST.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9887, 18 November 1897, Page 2

INQUEST.

On Monday afternoon, at Papanui, an inquest was held before Mb Beetham, Coroner, and a jury concerning the death of Geo. Antony Herbert Gerken. Evidence was given by the parents, who live in the Harewood road, and also by Dr. Boyd, who was called in at 7 a.m. on the 14th inst., but the deceased had died shortly after the messenger had started to fetch him. From the appearance of the body and the history of the illness as related to him by the parents, he had no doubt that the cause of death was inflammation of tho kidneys. The history of the case was:—Two years ago the deceased and his sister were seriously ill with what was regarded as scarlet fever, which was no doubt correct. The fatal illness of the deceased began about a week before his death with an attack resembliug erysipelas on the face. About three days before his death general dropsy set in, and during the last night before it breathing became difficult, and the parents for the first time seemed to have realised that tho case was scrioui. The history of the case was quite consistent with the view that deceased suffered two years ago from scarlet fever, the fatal attack was an attack of inflammation occurring in kidneys previously diseased. No doctor was called to attend "during the illness of two years ago, nor in the present one until when the boy was actually dying. In all probability tho scarlet .fever was not notified as a case of infections disease, andno medical guarantee could have been given that in the interest of the public there had been a proper disinfection of the premises. Ho was informed that tbe boy's father considered Hoiloway'a pills and ointment sufficient as medical treatment for air purposes. . These pills, as did almost all pills advertised, consisted mainly of aloes, and the ointment consisted chiefly of resin and fat. As. it was at inquests' that the real' truth concerning patent and proprietary medicines occasionally transpired, ...he thought it his duty to take the opportunity of s.tating that the false and misleading advertisements of patent and proprietary medicines constituted a grave danger to public' health,- inasmuch as they might I actually lead to the death of a patient ! through unwise deUy in seeking medical I advice. I

... .The jury.returned the following verdict— "That the said Geo.' Antony Herbert Gerken died from acute nephritis, and the jury are also of opinion that the parents should have called in a medical man some time before they did."