AGED WOMAN'S CONDITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 11

AGED WOMAN'S CONDITION

RARE OBSTETRICAL CASE PATIENT AT SINGAPORE LONDON. April 8 The Sun-Herald news service says that English and American doctors confirm the report that following an X-ray examination a bed was booked in the maternity ward at the Singapore General Hospital for Mrs. Koh Thian Neo, a Chinese who claims to be 105 years of age. The woman became an expectant mother in 1861, but tho child was not born, the normal course being inexplicably arrested in about the sixth month.

The woman recently 'entered hospital with fever and her condition was then revealed. Specialists concentrated on the case, suggesting an operation, but the relatives demurred. The woman's husband is dead and the natives are disturbed, some believing that Buddha is about to be reincarnated. A famous London obstetrician states that the case is not unique, though it is rare that a child ceases to grow and becomes what is called lithopaedian.

"if the facts are correct, this is a historic case," stated a leading obstetrician last evening. .Casos of this nature were very rare, but it was.quito conceivable that they had occurred in the past, and had never been detected until the X-ray came into use. Lithopaediah indicated a fossil-like substance.