A WOMAN’S DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16388, 9 July 1927, Page 15

A WOMAN’S DEATH

“AN EXTRAORDINARY THING’’

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this flay. “ To discharge a woman with such a fracture seems nti extraordinary said the coroner, Mr. E. Mosley, S.M., when conducting an inquiry to-day ..into the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Mclvmght. Mrs. McKnight was admitted to hospital as a. result, of a fall from a tramear. Enter she was* discharged, hut subsequently was re admitted' and died. Drr HI la. l/rngiey, house surgeon of Christchurch Hospital, said that alien an X-ray examination was made on ./line 16 it showed no fracture. Mrs. McKnight’* comlitmn continued to improve. Sin* go! up l on dune 18, and witness said she might leave the hospital on the following day. This she did.

To the coroner: When witness saw the X-rav photographs she whs unable to detect any fracture. On dune 17 the senior honorary surgeon, Dr. Sandston, saw the patient. The coroner; Did lie authorise her discharge? Witness : No.

The coroner (after reading a portion of the pathologist's report) : There was a fracture 3tu. long. Ts it not wonderful that that was not detected at the time? To discharge a woman with such a. fracture seems to he an extraordinary thing.

Witness: She had no signs or symptoms of a fracture. The inquest was adjourned to enable the coroner to get the evidence of the senior surgeon. ‘