DEATH OF A CHILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14927, 1 September 1910, Page 7

DEATH OF A CHILD

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. FATHER .SENT TO PRISON. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, August 31. (Received August 31, at 8.15 p.m.) At the Criminal Court to-day Arthur Lloyd was formally charged with the manslaughter of his five-year-old son. The child was suffering from diphtheria, and died while under Christian Science treatment. The accused in the course of a statement said he was not a Christian Scientist, but he had faith in them. He belioved that his little boy's leg, which had been amputated, would grow again, Tho Christian Scientist who was treating the boy had advised getting a doctor to diagnose the case,

The mother of the child stated that alio and her husband had been preparing to become Christian Scienists, but they had no faith- in it now.

A verdict of "Guilty" was returned, with a strong recommendation to mercy on tho grounds that the accused had been the dupe of another person. The judge sentenced Lloyd to three months' imprisonment. He said- he desired to pass a sentence to deter others from doing what Lloyd had done.

Cecil \\ llliam Lloyd, ajsed five years, died at his parents' residence, Albion street, mi Vcr 'i t 'V' shortly after noon on July 26. •ii it .is reported, first became ill .on, July 17,; when he ..seemed to be suffering from a throat trouble. The child's condition did not improve, a,id Dr Savage, of Wavcrlcy, was called in on July 22. He regarded tho case as being like diphtheria, and prescribed i the anti-toxiii .treatment. Tho child was again visited by Dr Savage on tho following day. Nothing, however,,it is said, had been done to relievo him, and the parents stated that they were Christian Scientists, and did not' believe in medipine. The boy remained in the same condition until tho 26th, when lie appeared to be ohoking.. Dr Savage was again sent for, but on his' arrival found the child dead.

The father informed the polico that ho saw a prominent Christian ; Scientist at uoollahra Point, who advised him to pall in Jt medical man to asnonain tho nevturft of tho illness, and then inform him. - The cose, he said, would then be dealt with by fchu Christian Scientist, Ho did not see the omld or treat him in any way except by what'is known as the "mental process," which, he stated, was a matter of faith and prayer,.

Dr Savage, in his report, gave the cause of death as diphtheria.