WOMAN'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19195, 29 December 1927, Page 3

WOMAN'S DEATH.

DRANK METHYLATED SPIRITS. In an attempt to relieve intense pain she. was suffering, an elderly widow Katrine Christina Easterbrook, 61 years of age, resident at 12 Shrewsbury street, Merivale, took two cupdils of methylated spirits, the* effects of which caused hor- death' within a few hours. ■ '.•An. inquest was held; before the Coroner, Mr H. A. Young, yesterday morning. The police enquiry was conducted bv Sergeant McGregor. Clifford Easterhrook, 33 Shrewsbury street, son of deceased, in evidence, stated that his mother had been in poor health for some time past. On the night of December 2Gtli, witness was sent for, and on arrival at his mother's residence, found her on the floor of her room. She said she had been in great pain, and had taken two cupfuls of methylated spirits in an endeavour to obtain relief and to induce sleep. His mother had been a strict teetotaller. Witness sent for a doctor, who ordered his mother's removal to the hospital. In reply to a question bv Sergeant McGregor, witness said his mother had never given any indication of an intention to take her owif life. Dr. G. McMillan, house surgeon at the hospital, said that Mrs Easterbrook had collapsed when lie saw her. Steps were taken to revive her, hutshe died shortly after o a.m. on December 271b. She told witness she had taken two cupfuls of methylated spirits at noon, and two more at night in order to get to sleep. In the estimation of witness, death was due to heart failure following the depressing action of the spirit. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.