INQUEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 5

INQUEST.

An inquest on the body ot Henry Andrews, who died at the Hospital on Tuesday night, was held at the institution on Thursday morning before tbe District Coroner (Dr Johnson) and a jury of six, of whom Mr Tyson waschosen foreman. Thomas Pemberton, medical practitioner, deposed that he was called to see the deceased at Mrs Crespin’s Majori-banks-street, on Saturday, the X3th instant. The deceased was quite calm and self-pos-sessed and perfectly sober. He told witness that he was burnt. On examination, witness was astonished to find the deceased so seriously injured, He had extensive burns about the abdomen, thighs and lower portion of the body. Saw that no practical treatment had been adopted. The deceased seemed to think that his injuries could bo cured in a week, and treated the whole affair very lightly. Told him of the serious nature of bis injuries, and advised his removal to the Hospital, where he was taken next morning. He did not appear as if he wanted any nourishment. Asked the deceased how he got burnt, and although his brain was quite clear, he was very vague as to how - the accident had happened. He said he had burnt himself by accidentally setting fire to the vallanoe of the bed. Ho then said he had been out riding, and had chafed the burn, which statement witness thought preposterous. Witness thought the deceased’s injuries so severe and extensive that he could not possibly conceive how a man could ride with snob injuries. It appeared as if the deceased wished to conceal the real origin of the accident. As soon as witness examined the deceased, he formed the opinion that bis injuries would be fatal. By the Foreman : Should think the deceased had met with the accident two or three days before he saw him. Ann Jane Crespin, with whom deceased lodged, deposed that- he complained of being unwell on Wednesday, the IQtb, previous to which he -was in good He dame home’ from his business about 2 o’clock on that day, and said that he was ill from the effects of horse-riding the previous day. The next morning he asked witness for some olive oil, which she gave him. This was all he asked for. Two days after he told witness’ son that he had burnt himself, but did not tell witness herself. Next day witness sent for a doctor, as she felt that the man required medical aid. When attending to the deceased’s bedroom on the 11th and 12th did notsee any signs of fire, bat missed the vallanoe from the bed. After the deceased left the house witness found the vallanoe rolled up in his portmanteau. Wife ness produced thevallance, which was slightly, burnt in two places. The vallance was not burnt when witness made, the bed oh Tuesday, the 9th. 1 Did not notice any smell in the bedroom till the following Saturday. He did not appear to be suffering to any way. Had seen empty brandy (half-pint) bottles in his bedroom, but had never seen him drunk. Was not aware that the deceased was addicted to drink. Frank Crespin, = engineer, son of the former witness, deposed that the deceased was in good health up to

the f)th. He had complained frequently of pains in the cheat. Witness slept with the i deceased on the 9th. That evening he said he had been riding round the rooks and to Island Bay, and was sore from the effects of the ride. Next morning deceased still complained of feeling very sore. He, however, went to badness but returned in the afternoon. When witness returned from his work he learnt from his mother that the deceased was ill, and had gone' to bed. Asked him what was the matter, and he said he was still sore. Witness advised him to get something to alleviate the pain. Witness went to a chemist’s and procured some carbolic oil and zinc ointment. Offered to apply the medicine but deceased objected, remarking that he would prefer to do it himself. Deceased did not show the witness the sores. On Thursday evening got some more oil and a puff for applying "Fuller’s Earth,” While the deceased was getting out of bed on Friday night; witness noticed that his night shirt was covered with some kind of matter. He told the deceased he thought ho-had some disease upon him. Deceased then said he would tell witness what was the matter, although he was afraid to tell his (witness’s) mother. He said that when ho came home from his ride on the 9th ho felt very sore, and rubbed some vaseline over the affected parts, and that while he was undressed he struck a match to light a cigarette ; the head of the match came off and ignited the vallance of the bed and his shirt at the same time. He lost all presence of mind and was not sufficiently quick enough to put the fire out before he was severely burnt. When witness saw his injuries he told him that he ought to see a doctor at once. He did appear to wish to see a doctor. Witness got up twice during the night to give the deceased water, and apply the oil. Deceased appeared to be in great pain, but would not admit it. As the deceased did not appear to be any better on the following day witness, on his own responsibility, sent for a doctor. When the doctor saw him he ordered his instant removal to the Hospital. Had never seen the deceased drunk, although he knew he used to drink a little brandy. Deceased had told witness that ha used to drink brandy to prevent pains in his chest. He was quite sober on the 9th. Witness asked his mother to receive the deceased as a' lodger, hoping that it might have the effect of keeping him away from the brandy. While he lodged with,them he' behaved like a gentleman. What drink he took in the house was on the quiet. Grey Hassall, house surgeon at the Hospital, stated that when the deceased was admitted he was very excited and weak, but was quite sensible. The night after deceased came to the Hospital he became delirious, and when asked questions as to the cause of the accident, made rambling statements. Ha did not rally after his admission to the Ho ipital, and about teu hours before he expired he suffered from suppression of the urine, which cause urinary poisoning. He died at 11 p.m. on Tuesday from exhaustion and urinary poisoning. There were no signs of burning about the hands. This was all the evidence. The Coroner said that it was one of the most wonderful oases he had over met. Ho could scarcely think it possible that any man could have borne the pain the deceased must have suffered without complaining. The deceased, he said, was a man addicted to secret drinking, and had been admitted into a house | of great respectability, and having injured himself through carelessness, had suffered terrible agony rather than explain the cause of the accident. The deceased man had become so shocked and'frightened of exposure that for the sake of his name and character he had kept the matter to himself. The evidence had been given in a very straightforward manner, and he did not think there was a shadow of doubt about the affair. ‘ - The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death.”