DEATH OF A CHILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19316, 31 October 1924, Page 7

DEATH OF A CHILD

KAOWEN TRIAL CONCLUDED THE GERM THEORY OF DISEASE. Press Association--By Telegraph—Copjrieht. LONDON, October 29. (Received Oct. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) There were wild scenes at the close of tho Hadwen trial. When, the jury returned with a verdict of "not guilty" loud cheers broke out in the crowded court such as are rarely heard in a court of justice. The officials were powerless to stay the outbreak. A larger crowd outside vociferously demonstrated when they heard that the 'doctor had been acquitted. Dr Hadwen in a series of a.nswers to the judge declared that he did not believe in the efficacy of anti-toxin treatment. Tho injection of poisoned horse blood into the human body was unscientific and contrary to nature. Ho had discarded the whole of the germ theory, of disease as unscientific. Mr Justice Jjush: "If a majority of doctors favour anti-toxin and official statistics show that it has reduced the diphtheriadeath rate by one-third does not this make vour responsibility the heaviest?" Dr Ifadwen: "TheVhole profession once favoured bleeding."—A. and N.Z. Cable. A verdict which the coroner said was equivalent to manslaughter was returned by a coroner's jury at Gloucester against Dr W. R. Hadwen, who came prominently into the public eye last year, when he led an anti-vaccination campaign during the grave outbreak of smallpox in Gloucester. Dr Hadwen waa committed for trial on the coroner's warrant, and was arrestee!, but released on bail. The inquest concerned ihe death of a girl 10i years old, said to rave been due to diphtheria. The mother stated that on Augwst 1 she called Dr Hadwen in to treat the child, who had a bad throat and talked thickly. ''The doctor," she added, "ordered a gargle of warm water and vinegar, and also gave the child some medicine. On August 4 the child was worse, but the doctor looked down her throat and advised that it should be painted with pure glycerine. Tho child was much worse on August 9, but after Dr Hadwen had looked at her throat, felt her pulse, and examined her chest, he said there was scarcely anything the matter with her and tliat she would soon be all right. The same day I called in Dr B. S. Ellis, who said the child was suffering firom diphtheria and pneumonia" Dr E. S. Ellis said that when he was called to the child he found her seriously ill with diphtheria. Hor- temperature was 102.5, as against 88.4 normal, and her pulse 154 as against 70 normal. The whole of her throat was filled with membrane. He did not think it possible that tho advanced growth of • diphtheric membrsnee could not have been seen on the morning of August 9. The treatment advised by Dr Hadwen was of but slight value. He thought, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment would have saved the child's life. Mrs Burnham stated in reply to Mr A. F. Clements, counsel for Dr Hadwen, that while she was out, the child got out of bed and went downstairs for water. She did not mention this to Dr Hadwen. Two of hor children are now in hospital with diphtheria* Dr Ellis, who was recailled, stated that ho did not think the incident of walking downstairs necessarily prejudiced the child's chances of recovery. Dr Hadwen, who holds the qualification of M.D., stated in evidence that when he was called to the ohild she had a bad cold and a watery discharge from the nose. He examined hor to seo if diphtheria, wtsfi persont, but there were no symptoms of that disease. "Tho child's condition gave me no anxiety," he added, "and, on August 6, with tho oxception of weakness, she was practically well. There were no clinical symptoms of diphtheria from first to last. On the Saturday the child died I was taken aback by her condition, find tried to ge£ at reasons few tho relapse, but I did not take a swab of the child's throat, booauße I consider the whole modern germ theory to bo all bosh." The jury found that the child died from diphtheria_. and that Dr Hadwen failed to show competent skill, and such . failure caused tho child's death. The coroner said that in law this was a verdict of manslaughter. He committed Dr Hadwen for trial at 'Gloucester Assizes.