INQUEST.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 45, 24 March 1877, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Telegraph • Hotel, Otaki, before Dr Hewson, coroner, on the 18th inst., on the body of David Knocks, a half-caste child, aged one year. From the evidence it transpired that the child had been suffering from an inflammatory eruption resembling measles. He waS shown to Dr Hewson on the I7t*h February last,, who -pre'seribed aperient powders, but he heard no more of the case. The child mended a little, but did not recover its health. One George Spackman then saw the child, and prescribed for it until the 15th March, when it died from the effects of a blister which mortified. G. Spackman, on oath, said : The child had a cough and worms, and its chest sounded very hollow ; I did not put my ear to the chest. I told the mother that the disease was water m the chest. I did not examine the urine. If the child could have answered questions I could 'have told what was the matter but not without. I ordered a fowl to be given and wine and quinine. I have studied medicine and practised, it 35 years with greater success than most men m the colony. I applied" a blister, and I consider the blister acted as I could have wished. I was to be well paid if the child recovered but not , otherwise. From the mother's evidence it appeared that the child had no dangerous symptoms until the blister was applied. s The jury were of unanimous opinion that the ■ death of the child occurred from the injudicious application of a blister, and cautioned George Spackman against undertaking duties for which he was unqualified and unlicensed.