DOCTOR'S STRANGE DEATH.
SUPPOSED ELECTROCUTION.
TREATMENT FOR LUMBAGO* The- death of Dr. J. S. F. Barnet, of Armidale, New South Wales, occurred in strange circumstances on August 29, apparently as the result of receiving an excessive charge of energy from an electrical therapeutic apparatus. Dr. Barnet expressed an intention of attempting to relieve the pain of lumbago from which he had been suffering for some time, and requested his wife to turn on the current from the battery. He fixed the lead pads to his sides and just as the current came on he picked up the telephone receiver at his bedside to answer a call. Suddenly he exclaimed, "My God!" and dropped back on the bed. His partner, Dr. R. B. Austin, was called and arrived in two minutes, but he could only pronounce life extinct.
Various theories have been advanced to account for the tragedy. One is that by touching the metal portion of the telephone receiver Dr. Barnet completed a circuit. Tlio other is that a faulty battery was responsible.. The battery is to be examined. Dr. Barnet was 32 years of age and was born in Sydney. He was educated at the Sydney Grammar School and graduated in medicine at the University of Sydney.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 11
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208DOCTOR'S STRANGE DEATH. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 11
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