EXPLOSION IN A BATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXPLOSION IN A BATH.

—•—■ . .r. : ' i MEDICATED VAPOUR THAT COSTB i 'V COMPANY £100. ~ ', While suffering from muscular' rheum** " tism a widow named Mrs.' Barnes, who kepfj a boarding-house at Kensington, was recoin. mended by her medical adviser to purchase ' \'i a bath from the Buckeye Hath Cabinet Com. \ pany, Bloomsbury. ." ' " - ; . ;. ; ; '; She did so. and used it on two occasions as ! a, vapour bath, but receiving no benefit she re-read the printed instructions. These stated that for muscular rheumatism half an ounce of turpentine, should be put into tie '/■ water, so as to have, a medicated vapouf .bath. •..-■■ - . -,: .'., :■ ' ",'- ';■',, A niece followed the instructions in pre« paring the bath, and when Mrs. Barnes had , p been in it for about fifteen minutes and was I; perspiring freely there was a sudden explo- i ; i sion. She was.burned severely about the' body, and as a consequence she was confined]t If to bed for five weeks. ■-*;-.')■' - ) w , Before Mr. Justice Phillimorc Mrs. Barnea \ : -- sued the Buckeye Company for compensa* Is tion. ; / '•" " .- ■- *'"''■')•.'■- ,-' '* .-■"■ [;'■ For the defence it was alleged that tiir*' r : pentine of an inferior quality had been used \«\ —bought from an oilman instead of from 9 | . chemist. Evidence as to the excellence ol | - the company's baths was given, and it was '. contended that it was almost impossible fOB j ,- an explosion to occur. ' ;;"■'" ■ p The jury, however, awarded Mrs. Barnes. I i £100 damages. ' J \, . .:, ..';•. || *