DEATH OF CHILD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21881, 17 August 1934, Page 12

DEATH OF CHILD

UNUSUAL ACCIDENT STRANGLED IN JACKET PATIENT IN HOSPITAL The death occurred in the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday of Ronald Harvey, aged four years and eight months, as a result, it is believed, of accidental strangulation in a "jacket" applied during the course of treatment. The child was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Harvey, of 11 Anno Street, Devonport.

According to the police report to the coroner the child was admitted to the hospital on Sunday last as a suspicious case of diphtheria, but it was found that he was suffering from bronchial pneumonia. it was necessary to restrain the patient, a jacket being used for this purpose. Through getting one of the bands of the jacket about his neck, it is believed that the child stranged himself, death occurring at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The jacket used for the case is stated to resemble a vest in appearance and is the usual form of equipment in hospitals throughout the British Empire. It is made of a linen material and allows freedom of movement, although its purpose is to prevent a patient from falling out of bed.

At an inquest opened by Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., coroner, yesterday Mrs. Alice Harvey, mother of the child, stated that she had no knowledge of the cause of death. Prior to the illness tile child had enjoyed good health. The inquest was adjourned. A post mortem examination is to be held at the suggestion of Dr. J. W. Craven, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital.