CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AGAINST A MEDICAL MAN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3155, 8 August 1881, Page 3

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AGAINST A MEDICAL MAN.

Wellington, August 8.

An inquest was held at Featherston last Thursday as to the death of an infant child of Matthew Cave, of Toronga, near Featherston. The circumstances connected with the death are somewhat peculiar, and are as follows:—On the 22nd of July the child was born without showing signs of life. Both Dr Michael Hanratty, who wa3 in attendance, and Mrs Henderson, the nurse, tried the usual expedients in such cases with the view of causing the child to cry, but they were unsuccessful. In accordance with the doctor's instructions a jug of boiling water was then produced, Dr Hanratty being informed that there was a supply of cold water in the room in case he required it. Covering the infant with a towel the doctor poured hot water over its body. This appears to have had the desired effect, for the child instantly began to cry. According to several witnesses Dr Hanratty was asked if the hot water would not blister the child, to which he simply said, ' No,' but he was not observed to test the temperature of tho water. The infant was next closely wrapped in flannels, and when they were removed some hours subsequently the infant, was found to be a mass of blisters and for several days was subject to convulsive fits. Five days after its birth the nurse noticed that one of the child's legs appeared to be mortifying. The sinews were contracted and the leg was drawn up while the flesh was quite black and covered with blisters. The doctor prescribed an ointment to be applied to the sores, but death ensued on the morning of the Ist instant, Dr Hanratty certifying the cause to have been* " convulsions." The Ipoliec heard of the circumstances shortly after the interment of the child and at once had the body exhumed. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict that death resulted from severe scalding, owing to the use of water which was above tho temperature safe for a child of that age. The jury also held that neglect had been shown by others in failing to obtain professional services or those of some other medical man for the child at an earlier period. Dr Hanratty was arrested on the charge of manslaughter.