SHOCKING DESTITUTION AND DEATH.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 140, 14 December 1881, Page 3

SHOCKING DESTITUTION AND DEATH.

A Bad case, illustrative of what may happen to the aged and helpless, was brought before the Benevolent Society yesterday by the Believing Officer, Mr. Johnson. It seems that an old woman named Mrs. Barrett, who has resided for the last 30 years in Taranaki-street, became helpless and bedridden, and utterly unable to attend to her own wants. A charitable neighbour for several weeks supplied the poor old woman with food, but was unable to give all the attendance she required. Information was given to Mr. Johnson, who at once visited her, and found her in a most fearful and disgusting condition. She was lying in a filthy oondition, covered with vermin, and the toes of each foot were gangrened. Dr. France was at once called in, and on his recommendation the unfortunate creature was removed to the Hospital. At that time she was evidently sinking, and Bhe died shortly after her admission. The poor woman has a son, who appears to have acted in a most unnatural way to her, so much so that it was with reluctance he obtained a oab to convey hia dying parent to the Hospital. The medical certificate of Dr Gillon states that death was occasioned through gangrene, chest disease, and old age. The circumstances were such that the Coroner deemed it necessary that an inquest should be held to-day, at 11 o'oloek, at the Hospital.