WOMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 12

WOMAN'S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENT REASON FOR AN OPERATION [by telegraph—own correspondent! WELLINGTON. Friday A-case comparatively rare in medical practice was the subject of an inquiry in the Coronpr's Court to-day when the adjourned inquest into the death of a patient at the Porirua Mental Hospital was resumed. The patient, a married woman, aged 32, died on Feb-' ruary 19 in the Wellington Hospital, to which' she was admitted from Mental Hospital. Evidenco called by Detective-Ser-geant Hall showed that deceased had been operated upon by two doctors to terminate pregnancy in order to save the patient from puerperal mania, with a consequent likelihood. of death, as the woman had been afflicted in this way on a previous occasion. Detailed evidence given by two doctors who had performed the operation showed that medical ethics sanctioned such action where life and the mental health of a patient were involved. It was disclosed that even the operation failed to prevent mania in this case, and the patient was admitted for the second time within seven years to Porirua. She had previously attempted to take her life and again demonstrated similar tendencies. She was admitted to the Mental Hospital on February 8 of this year, but as she became ill she was sent to the Wellington Hospital, where she died on February 19, .the cause of death being stated as resulting from bronchial pneumonia. A post mortem disclosed no sign of sepsis. "In this case,", said one of the operating doctors, " I considered 'the outlook for the patient so grave that the aotion taken was justified, puerperal mania being frequently fatal at the second attack."

( In his view he was supported by another medical witness, both recognising that in certain circumstances the operation was illegal. ' In reply to Detective-Sergeant Hall the principal operating doctor mentioned that he personally gained nothing as he was aware before he . carried out the operation that the woman and her husband were without means. In fact," he explained, " I gave the husband a poundr so that he could go to Wellington to see his wife before she died."

The coroner 1 reserved his verdict on the cause of death until Wednesday.