YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17061, 20 September 1929, Page 9

YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH

CAUSE UNSUSPECTED CHILD ’ S BODY DISCOVERED *Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Medical evidence that nothing beyond influenza was suspected during the whole of her illness was given to-day at tho inquest on Lily Wall, 29, kitchen assistant; at Auckland Mental Hospital, who died in the institution on September 10. On the day of her death the body of ft baby girl was found in a suitcase in her room. The evidence showed that it was stillborn. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., conducted the inquiry. A verdict was returned that death was duo to septicaemia. The coroner said tho woman had successfully concealed her condition. There was no negligence on tho part of the medical officers, and she gave them no assistance. There was no blame attachable to anyone. Evidence was given that the woman was very stout and probably weighed between 15 and 16 stone. When she became unwell, her complaint was diagnosed as influenza. On no occasion during her illness did she intimate in any way that sho was or had been in a certain condition. She made light of her illness. Dr. Gilmour, who made a post-mortem examination of the body of Miss Wall, said the body was that of a very obese young woman. There were signs that she had been in a certain condition and there were traces of septicaemia. The cause of death was puerperal sepsis of the pulmonary thrombosis. A post-mortem examination of the hodv of the female infant found in Miss Wall’s room at the Mental Hospital was also carried out by Dr. Gilmour. The baby weighed 9Albs. From the examination the doctor deducted that the child was a full-time baby and was stillborn. There were no traces of violence.