DEATH OF A PRISONER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 27 October 1908, Page 4

DEATH OF A PRISONER.

Christchurch, Oclober 23

The adjourned inquest into the death of James Kilpatrick was resumed to-day. Deceased died in Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday after his transference from Lyttelton Gaol. The gaol surgeon said he fi rs t saw and examined deceased on Thuisday night, October 15, ween admitted to the gaol. Deceased was suffering from a disordered digestion, and had a quick pulse. He told witness he bad been drinking for a good while, and was unable to eat. He pre scribed for him and saw him next day. He was then progressing satisfactorily. On Saturday deceased was in a dazed state, and was breathing quickly. He found him then to be suffering from acute and chronic neurits. Pie telephoned to Dr. Brooke at the Christchurch Hospital, asking if deceased could be admitted. He further examined deceased on Sunday morning, and considered him fit to be removed. The Coroner said it was necessary that he should be fully assured that every precautionary measure had been exhausted before deceased was removed, as this man, being sent to prison, was not a free agent, and it was essential that no doubt should exist on the question whether the man received proper care. Dr. Newell said he had fully satisfied himself that deceased wa in a fit condition for removal.

In answer to the Coroner, Dr. Newell said he would have sent deceased to the hospital as the best thing to do if suffering from pneumonia, as there were not the neccessary facilities at the gaol to treat such cases.

Dr. Brooke, of the Christchurch Hospital, said pneumonia in the left lung was a recent development, and probably after deceased left the gaol, but the right lung was not so recent, and pulmonary ptbisis indicated that the man had probably got cold in his drinking bouts and pneumonia followed on phthisis, and was not necessarily apparent on Dr. Newell’s examination.

The Coroner. Mr Bishop, said he was satisfied there was no negligence, and found that Kilpatrick died of heart failure and double pheuumonia.