FATALITY AT TAKAPUNA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 55

FATALITY AT TAKAPUNA.

DUE TO CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE. AUCKLAND, April 26. A sad case of poisoning with fatal results occurred at Takapuna yesterday. Two sisters—Mrs C. Little and Mrs A. Nicholson, senr.—while at Milford Beach became suddenly ill, and almost immediately lapsed in unconsciousness. Despite every attention Mrs Nicholson died at 3 o’clock this morning, and Mrs Little’s condition is so serious that practically no hopes are held of her recovery. Mrs Nicholson had been residing for some weeks at Milford Beach, and yesterday afternoon both her sisters went over by boat with the idea of visiting her. All were in excelled! health except Mrs Nicholson, who had been slightly indisposed for some time past. During their stay afternoon tea, was brought in, but Mrs Nicholson and Mrs Little preferred to drink hop beer, and it is to partaking of this beverage that the serious consequences are attributed. The visitors had intended returning by boat, but just before leaving Mrs Nicholson became suddenly and terribly ill. Within a few minutes of her complaint of feeling unwell she became unconscious. Medical assistance was summoned at once, and meanwhile Mrs Little also lapsed into unconsciousness, after complaining of sudden similar violent pains, particularly in the head. In the evening Dr Faardough’s assistance was also summoned, and when he arrived both the ladies were in a very feeble condition, and were both unconscious. He found indications of possible food poisoning, and the stomach contents were washed out, , with some apparent benefit. A few hours later Mrs Nicholson collapsed suddenly, and died. Mrs Little regained consciousness at 10 o’clock this morning, but shortly afterwards again relapsed into insensibility, and is still in a very precarious condition. Mrs Nicholson was 69 years of age, and was on old resident of Auckland. April 28. Ptomaine poisoning was not, as was supposed, the cause of the tragedy which occurred at Milford beach, Takapuna, last week. Medical examination proved that the death of Mrs Nicolson was due to cerebral hemorrhage, possibly attributable indirectly to the effects following the drinking of the bop beer, which it was suggested may have contained some poisonous elements. An inquest regarding Mrs Nicolson’s death was held yesterday. Dr Fairolough said that he was called to attend Mrs Nicolson and he.r sister (Mrs C. Little). Mrs Nicolson was unconscious when he arrived, and she died without recovering consciousness. On making a post mortem examination he found a mass of blood on both sides beneath the dura (the membraneous lining of the .cavity of the skull). This proved to have come from a ruptured middle cerebral artery. The deceased bad a definite heart history that must have resulted fatally at any time and suddenly. Dr Fairolough said he did not consider that the taking of any food or drink had any direct influence occasioning death. Any gaseous liquor might have the effect of distending the stomach and affecting the heart’s action, and. indirect!v, the circulation in the brain. Cornelius Little said that Mrs Nioolson. who was 69 .> ears of age, had ownplained of heart trouble, and had been medically attended. Witness’s wife was subject to heart trouble. The sudden death of a brother of his wife in February last was proved to have been due to' conditions similar to those described by Dr Fairclough. 'Commenting on this evidence. Dr Fairdough remarked that it boie out the ideathat arterial degeneration often ran in families. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The condition of Mrs Little this afternoon was still critical. Dr Bennett, who is attending her, states that her case also is one of cerebral hemorrhage.