DEATH OF CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1924, Page 5

DEATH OF CHILDREN.

TERRIBLE NEGLECT. TOO POOR TO GET DOCTOR. By Telegraph— Press Assn. —Copyright. Hobart, Sept. 19. The committal of a widow, Mrs. Welk, on a charge of the manslaughter of her child brought to light startling details. One child of 2| years was brought to the hospital dead and a second, aged six, subsequently died. According to medical evidence at the inquest the younger child was allegedly in a terribly neglected condition, swarming with vermin. Death was due to blood-poisoning resulting fiom neglect and filth. The second child’s death was due to acute nephritis. The body was covered with a raah from the bites of vermin, but both children were well-nourished, There was no sign of starvation. The mother, who was in receipt of help from the charitable • departanent, gave evidence that she had seven children and was too poor to get a doctor. The coroner, in delivering his verdict, commented: “The whole community is responsible for these children’s deaths. It reflects on us all that sudh conditions should be allowed to exist. We are our brothers’ keepers. The law, however, prohibits that. The responsibility must be borne by a particular individual.”