DEATH OF A CHILD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 157, 19 June 1935, Page 9

DEATH OF A CHILD

Treatment in Hospital

REQUEST FOR AN INQUIRY

By Telegraph—Press Association.

AUCKLAND, June 18.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Desmond Wallace Morrissey, aged three years, at the Auckland Hospital on May 29, are to be the subject of a full investigation by the Auckland Hospital Board. This was decided by the board this afternoon, when a letter from tho father, Mr William Morrissey, was read, in which he stated that he was not satisfied regarding the circumstances concerning the death of his son.

Tho medical superintendent, Dr. Craven, reported that the child was admitted to hospital on May 29, on the recommendation of Dr. Stride, who reported that the boy had cut his foot seven days previously and might be developing tetanus. Immediately on admission ho was given a dose of anti-

tetanic serum as a precautionary measure. On account of his symptoms it was considered advisable to take fluid from, his spinal column. This was found to bo under pressure and turbid and a sample was immediately sent to the laboratory for an urgent report. ‘ ‘ On receipt of the report, ’ ’ continued Dr. Craven, “Dr. McGill, resident medical officer, rang his honorary, Dr. Sweet, who. instructed him to carry out certain procedures. The report had stated that the spinal fluid contained many pus cells and microbes. In order to carry out Dr. Sweet’s instructions, it was necessary to give the child a light anaesthetic, and this was administered by Dr. Willis. While tho resident

medical officer was carrying out the treatment, the child stopped breathing

and died in spite of every effort to revive him.”

Dr Craven said that Dr Gilmour carried out a post-mortem examination and found tho child had died from influenzal meningitis. Dr Craven had applied for a copy of tho depositions, and tho

Coroner’s finding. Both tho father and mother of the dead boy attended this afternoon’s board meeting. Asked by tho chairman if ho had anything to say, Mr Morrissey said, “I was at the inquest when the Coroner gave his verdict and read Dr Gilmour’s report that the boy died from meningitis. The Coroner said that in his opinion death was accelerated by a puncturing of a blood vessel. The child was put under an anaesthetic at 4 p.m. and collapsed almost immediately. I would like a full investigation into tho whole of tho circumstances. It is not that I am looking for any monetary damages, or anything like that.” It was decided to hold a special meeting of tho board to make a full investigation into the circumstances and to invite the parents of tho child to attend.