KNIFE AND NEEDLES SWALLOWED

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 56, 30 November 1923, Page 7

KNIFE AND NEEDLES SWALLOWED

STRANGE REVELATIONS AT AN INQUEST. London, November 28. There were strange revelations at the inouest. of Private Hatch, of the Scots Guards, who died after swallowing a knife and other articles. Ho was court-martialled in October for striking a comrade, and while in the detention barracks he suddenly swallowed a seven-inch dinner knife. His sergeant refused to believe that he had done so, as Hatch seemed to be well, but reported the matter. When an X-ray examination was made, and an operation performed, the knife was discovered. along with a toothbrush, twelve trouser buttons, and two darning needles. The needles went right through the intestines. Twelve days after the operation Hatch, died of peritonitis. There was no evidence of any desire for suicide, and Hatch had affirmed that he did not remember swallowing tho articles. Doctors gave evidence that such swallowing was often a symptom of insanity, though there was no other trace of insanity about Hatch.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.