Death of a Girl

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 93, 24 August 1923, Page 8

Death of a Girl

CASE OF PERITONITIS. A coronial inquiry concerning the death of a girl named Vera Wood Hewitt, aged 15 years who died at the residence of her guardians, Mr and Mrs C. Mayhead, Kahouri Road, Stratford, on Wednesday last, was conducted by the acting coroner, Mr C. D. Sole J.P., at the Court House, Stratford, this morning. The jury were Messrs W. McDonald (foreman), G. Mcßain, J. G'odkin, and A. A. Thompson. Sergvsant Dale represented the police.

Dr. Steven, Stratford, in his evidence said he was called to Mr Mayhead’s residence, Kahouri Road, on Wednesday at 8.15 p.m. and found that deceased had been dead about half and hour. All the people in the house had had influenza but the girl, as explained by Mrs Mayhead, and symptoms seemed to fit in with the fact, so he communicated with the police. He made a post mortem examination of the body and found the cause af death was general peritonitis, followed by appendicitis The gird was particularly well developed. ' The symptoms of appendicitis hail lasted for about three days, and if medical aid had been sought ah the earlier stages, and an operation ’ performed, the girl’s life' might hav« been saved. Jessie Hiller Mayhead, wife of Charles Mayhead, saifl deceased was a niece of -.the witness. The parents were both ■ dead. She had lived with witneiss for aboflt nine years. Up to six xnonths ag 0 she attended school, and since she had helped in the house work, and also on the farm. She Siad never been attended by a doctor. There had been a good deal of Influenza in the house. On the, Saturday previously the girl complained of pains in the head, and on Sunday witness kept her in bed and on. Monday she got up, but seemed cold and witness gave her some ginger. She did not seem well, but it was not thought her illness was serious. Ort Tuesday she was unwell but bright; she had no cough and there were no signs of pneumonia. On Wednesday witness gave her some hot drink. She complained of a pain in the stomach and she gave her ia warm drink. Asked by Sergeant Dale why witness did not call in. the doctor, witness said she did not think the illness was serious Deceased appeared bright. Although a big girl, she never appeared strong. She had her as usual in the afternoon. When a neighbour called in and saw her she appeared bright. Later in the evening (Wednesday) when witness was engaged in kitchen she heard the girl making d noise, and found her in a dying state. She at once sent for the doctor. A verdict was returned that death was due to general peritonitis in accordance with the medical evidence.

The coroner said that, people would be well advised to call in a medical man when there were symptoms of appendicitis. In most cases when an operation was performed, it was successful, except where it was neglected in thie first stages.