A SAWMILLER’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 17327, 15 April 1920, Page 7

A SAWMILLER’S DEATH

INQUEST CONCLUDED. Mr J. R Bartholomew, S.M. (Coroner), resumed the inquest this morning on the body of Graham Dawson, a sawmiller, aged 62 years, who met with an accident at Tahakopa, and died in the Hospital on the 31st of last mouth. Mr W. G. Hay appeared for the relatives of deceased and Mr R. Gilkison for the Lauriston Timber Company (deceased’s employers). When the -inquest was opened on the last occasion a son of deceased said that his father met with an accident about February 6. His nofe and cheek were swollen, and when asked how it had happened he said he was holding a “ dog ” for a man to hammer in. The hammer missed, and the- end of it caught him on the side of the nose. Dr Drehnnn, pathologist to Otago University, said that he made a post mortem examination of the body, which was that of a well-built elderly man There were no external marks of injury visible. He examined the head, trunk, and limbs carefully, and could find no sign of injury, old or recent. Tho brain vessels were engorged and the tissues'dropsical. The heart and the lungs were engorged, but otherwise the internal organs were in very good condition for a man of deceased’s age. Continuing his evidence this morning. Dr Brennan presented a detailed report of a microscopical examination of the tissues, in the course of which he said that in his opinion deceased died from lethargic encephalitis. There was no evidence of old or recent injury of the ski'll, brain, or spinal cord. The organs were rin . good condition for a man of his age, and showed only the appearances due to terminal heart failure. There was no-evidence from the examination that the suggested injury had anything to do with the cause of death.

To Mr Hay; Tho symptoms of the disease were often simply drowsiness. Mr Hav: It is a rare disease. W itr.ess : It has been an epidemic disease of the last few years. Mr Hay: Is it infectious?

Witness; It is probably infections, the same aa iftfantile paralysis. The disease has been only comparatively recently recognised, and a good deal more investigation is required about it. Continuing, he said tbe main’ feature of the disease was the- accumulation of cells round the blood vessels. There was no evidence of direct connection of tho accident with the disease. An injuiy to the head might aggravate the disease. It was a slow disease. It might ’last for months, and recovery then occur. It was possible that shock might have aggravated the disease, and assisted to bring about the man’s death as it occurred. He could not say that the injury brought about his early death. If the injuiy had been a severe one he. would have expected to find traces of hemmorlnge. Mr Hay: From the experience of the medical profession could an accident of tills class start a latent disease and make it dangerous?

Witness: It is possible. James Wilson, buslnnan, said that he had been working with deceased for about two months. He had known him previously. Prior to the day of Ofre accident ho never heard deceased complain of being ill. He was a strong, healthy man _ who did saw and axe work. Describing the accident, witness said that one of the “ dogs ” pulled out. Deceased took hold of the “dog” while another man named Keen got ready to drive it. The man misjudged his distance and struck another log with the head of the hammer. It- skidded off the log, and tho handle shot back, striking deceased between the cheek and nose. It was a verv severe blow. Deceased was dazed, and after lunch he said he was feeling the effects of the blow—that he had a very sore head. During the afternoon he complained of being sleepv, and said be would not be long out of bed. Ho started work again next dav. In the afternoon his work was not up'to his usual standard, lie remarked that if he could, only get rid of the pain in his head iio would be all right. He kept- on working for three or four days in all. On the th'rd day lie was absolutely unfit to work, although lie carried on. He was a most determined man. He did not turn up either _the next--day or the dnv after. Dwyer Dawson, son of deceased, who previously gave evidence, was recalled bv Mr Hay. Ho said that on the night of tho accident his father retired to bed at about hall-past 6 o’clock instead of at 9 o'clock, as usual. ITe was very drowsy, Jhiee or four days later lie complained of loss of memory, and said that he bad double vision. The Coroner returned a verdict in c---'.iame v ;tli the (lectors evidence [iy added that- lie was, not able to 'express any opinion as to whether the injupv b n d any direct connection with the man’s death.