MYSTERIOUS SUDDEN DEATHS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 17 April 1901, Page 70

MYSTERIOUS SUDDEN DEATHS.

(Fkom Our Own CoRREsroxDEXT.) AUCKLAND, April 11. A lad named William Miller died suddenly at Parnell while leading a horse a week or so ago. When the inquest uas first opened by Mr Gresham, the coroner, the post mortem examination did not reveal any possible cause of death, and the case became kno^n as "The Parnell Mystery." A similar case occurred about four months ago, in which the cause of death could not be ascertained. Ihe inquiry was adjourned tiJl yesteiday, in order that an analysis of the contents of the stomach might be made. Mr Gresham read correspondence that had passed between himself, Mr Pond (Government analyst), and Dr Mason, which showed that the contents of the stomach of the deceased had been f oi warded lo Mr Pond, who had replied that, viewing the evidence of the case, he thought a chemical analysis unnecessaiy, as he knew of no poison that could have caused deceased's death under the observed conditions. He recommended that a bacteriological examination be made of the contents of the stomach, and that, as he could not undertake to make such an examination in his laboratory, he advised that the contents be sent to Wellington for the purpose. Dr Girdler coincided with Mr Pond's opinion. The contents were then sent to Wellington, and Dr Mason (Chief Health Officer) reported that the bacteriological examination disclosed nothing. Dr MacLaurin (Colonial Analyst) made a chemical analysis, with the same result. Dr Girdler stated that, having in view the evidence already taken and the result of Dr Mason's investigations, he was of opinion that death was due to natural causes. Witness quoted Dr Bronardel, one of the greatest authorities on sudden death, who said that, however minute medical men might make their post mortem investigations, there were causes of sudden death which it was impossible to explain. The proportion of such cases was about 8 to 10 per cent. Witness considered death was due to syncope. The jury found that death was due to natural causes. Owing to the peculiar circumstances of Miller's death, and the fact that the post mortem examination did not give any clue to the cause of death, there was a suspicion in some c^uarteis of plaguy and ta tlie

interests of Auckland the toionei -went to a great deal of trouble and spared no pain^ to have the matter thoroughly cleared up, and deberveb much credit tor his promptitude in the ca«e. That there was no ground whatever for the suspicions refeired to is proved by Dr Mason's repoit of the 'bacteriological examination, of the contents of the stomach, w Inch stated : "There vias no evidence of any pathogenic organism, such as plague Cultiual reaction showed nothing pathogenic.' 1