DEATH OF PATIENT

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1934, Page 7

DEATH OF PATIENT

NEGLIGENCE NOT PROVED

MATRON ACQUITTED

(Per Pvpss Association. —Conyi’lr'ht.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

A verdict of not guilty was returned In the case against Edith Laura Francis, a nurse, who was formerly matron of the Kaikoura Hospital, and who was charged in the Supreme Court j'cstorday with manslaughter, in that, being in charge of a patient, she did not take sufficient care, with the result that lifer alleged neglect led -to the death of the patient. Mrs Lilian Rhoda James, a maternity patient at the hospital, died in October after an enema had been given by accufeed, who was relieving the maternity nurse ordinarily in charge of the ward. It was discovered that the basin used by accused, in giving the enema had contained carbolic acid left in a cupboard by the maternity nurse.

The facts were not disputed. No‘evidence was called for the defence. Mr Laseelles, counsel for accused, pleaded that the Grown had failed to prove culpable negligence. Accused had .been under the impression that she was handling an innocent solution, and there was. no reason why she should have expected it to be otherwise. The law required reasonable caution and care, and not the utmost caution.

The jury gave its verdict of not guilty after A 5 retirement.