A WOMAN’S DEATH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 20 January 1923, Page 5

A WOMAN’S DEATH.

INQUEST AT NAPIER. The adjourned inquest into the death of Eileen O’Donoghue, who died at the Napier Hospital on December 22, was resumed at the Napier Courthouse this morning before the district coroner. Mr. R. W. Dyer. Mr. B. J. Dolan appeared for Francis Quinn, Gisborne, and Detective Sergeant Butler represented the police. Mary Ann O’Donoghue, widow, of Vautier street, Napier, said deceased was her daughter. She was single and had lived with witness all her life. She was aged 29 years. About seven months ago she left home to go and live with Mr. and Mrs H. Martin at Shannon Station, about 35 miles from Wairoa. They were friends of the .family. She heard from deceased about five or six weeks ago stating that she would be home for Christmas. Following that letter, she arrived home about December 21, 1922. She was very ill and could hardly speak. Witness was not told just then what was the ?natter with deceased. Witness put deceased to bed. Deceased told her she had indigestion which had-turned to ulceration of the stomach. That was all the information she received at any time about her illness. Next morning she appeared worse and Dr. T. C. Moore was called in. After seeing her he ordered her to the Napier Hospital, witness accompanying her. They arrived about 10 a.m. and deceased was handed over to the hospital authorities. Witness saw her again for a few minutes after deceased had been operated on in the afternoon. She saw her again at 6.30 and remained with her until she died at 8 o’clock. Dr. T. C. Moore gave evidence as to visiting the deceased. He found her very ill. suffering from peritonitis and she was in a very low state. He did not think it advisable to question her very much but she admitted having had a miscarriage. He ordered her to the Hospital at once. Dr. Walter William Moore said he attended deceased when she was brought into the Hospital. He found her intensely ill with acute general septic peritonitis and in danger of her life. He left instructions with the house surgeon, and went to the Hospital later and as a result of re-examination, and the medical superintendent’s report she was prepared for an immediate operation, which was carried out. Her condition did not improve and she died during the evening from acute general septic poisoning and general exhaustion following acute general septic peritonitis the result of a pelvic abscess, secondary to acute septic infection of the womb and fallopian tubes. Ho refused to give a certificate of death on account of the history of there being some doubt as to its origin. The post mortem next day revealed no sign of any wound beyond the operating wound. The condition suggested to him interference by an unskilled and unclean person. The condition of deceased on arrival was absolutely hopeless as she then was and there was only the barest possible chance with an operation.

Dr. James Allan Berry, medical superintendent of the Napier Hospital, said he examined deceased on her admission about 10 a.m. She was desperately ill, suffering from acute peritonitis following abortion. He corroborated Dr. W. W. Moore’s evidence in every particular and could not add anything to it. Deceased was under medical supervision the whole time she was alive in the Hospital. It was very unlikely that the illness was brought on by itself without interference.

A verdict was returned that deceased met her death from acute general septic poisoning, and general exhaustion following acute general septic peritonitis, the result of a pelvic abscess secondary to acute sfcptic infection of the womb and fallopian tubes.