DEATH FROM STARVATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12408, 22 October 1903, Page 3

DEATH FROM STARVATION.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

A HUSBAND CENSURED.

Tub adjourned inquest touching the death of the old lady, Eliza Squirrell, found dead in bed at Aberorombie-streefc last Monday week, was resumed yesterday at the Wynyard Arms Hotel, before the ooronor (Mr. Gresham). After hearing certain evidence on the opening day of the inquiry, an adjournment was granted at the request of tbo jury to enable a post-mortem examination of the body to be made, and Dr. do dive Lowe'was the medical man nominated to conduct the examination.

The medical officer mentioned was the first witness called yesterday, and in the course of his evidence stated that in making the post-mortem examination he had found the body in a horribly emaciated condition —in fact, almost a skeleton. There were no marks of violence, but a large bedsore in a bad state was discovered, also another sore, apparently caused by lack of attention. There were indications of long-standing liver • dyspepsia. From las observations ho was of opinion that death was largely caused by starvation, accelerated by lack of attention and want of proper nursing. The starvation could be duo to cither the neglect on tiie part of those in charge of the deceased to supply her with proper food, or. on the other hand by the persistent refusal of deceased to take nourishment. There was no sign of food in the stomach or intestines. Had deceased had proper medical treatment, together with suitable nourishment ami competent musing, her life might, have been prolonged. Owing to the Weak state of her body it was possible that the deceased had lapsed into a. state of mental weakness during the last 10 months of her life.

; _ Deceased's husband, Robert Squirrel!, was in attendance, and on being spoken to said he had no questions to put to tho doctor. The niece, Bessie Cosgrave, a girl aged 16 j years, who had been living with her aunt (deceased), on being examined said that Mrs. Squirrell had been continually in bed for some four or five months prior to her death.; She had refused—When spoken to—to see a.. medical man, and witness had waited upon' her and attended to the housework. She (witness) had drawn Mr. Squirrell's attention to the bad sore from which the deceased': was suffering. About' three or four o'clock on the afternoon of the day on which Mrs., Squirrell died (Monday, October 12) she' gave deceased a boiled egg and brandy. Do-'". teased had also eaten a boiled egg for breaklast in the morning. Sho remained in the ..' house from the hour mentioned, but did not visit the room occupied by deceased again till about eight o'clock in the "evening, whenshe found her dead in bed. Her uncle (Robert Squirrell) returned home about'six o'clock on the evening in question, but did not go -to see his wife till after witness* found her dead and communicated the fact to hint. On coming home lie had to clean himself. Beyond herself and Squirrell the only person who had seen the deceased during the past four months was &1; Mrs. Montague, who saw her about six weeks ago. Witness was in the habit of looking in to see the deceased about every 'three hours, and sometimes found her asleep. The deceased had not refused to take her food day after day, and usually had boiled eggs and brandy, and sometimes coffee. She(deceased) had not taken bread and butter for about four month*, and witness had not offered it to her. Kirs. Squirrell had never expressed a desire for bread and butter. Witness had not previously been in charge., of any sick persons. In answer to questions by the police witness. that she and her untie had the usual food. Deceased's bedclothes and clothes were changed from time to time, but the sore from which she suffered had never been treated. There had been no ill-feeling between the deceased and her husband.

Mrs. Montague, being sworn, said she had visited tho deceased about six weeks prior to her death. Sho asked Mrs. Squirrell if there was anything she could do for her, and'received a reply in the negative, the deceased stating that she had all she required, and that her niece attended to her. Deceased did not then appear to be in pain. Cr. M. Kirkcaldy, district manager of the Provident and Industrial Life Insurance Company, handed in a policy with his office covering decoased's life to the extent of £20. Ho also stated that the husband was insured for £40. •

This concluded the evidence, and tho jury, > after a short retirement, brought in a ver-: : diet to the effect that death was duo to starvation, hastened by lack of. attention and want of competent nursing. A rider was '..■'■'■ added, in which the jury intimated that they considered that: tho deceased's husband, 7 Robert Squirrell, should be censured for failing to provide, tho deceased with proper at- !' tention, food and nursing. - In communicating the finding of the jury' to the. husband, the Coroner said: "Robert :, Squirrell, you have heard the verdict. ,'.[iiwr that verdict I entirely concur. It i» quiterl idle for you to _ suggest that you were : not v ; (: aware of the terrible condition in which your wife wax for some four months or mere. Your niece has sworn that you were aware gi of the bedsore on the hip which Dr. Lowe " has referred to. It is no excuse for yon, to offer that your late wife rofused to Lave a doctor. The food supplied to hen- was improper food. You may consider yourself fortunate if your failure to provide your late v wife with proper attendance, food' and nursing does not result in your being brought; before the Police Magistrate's Court.'' > ,