“SLIMMING CRAZE”

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1934, Page 6

“SLIMMING CRAZE”

EFFECT ON YOUNG GIRL’S HEALTH.

EVIDENCE GIVEN AT AUCKLAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night ’’

Evidence that deceased had been affected by the “slimming craze” was given at an inquest held before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., into the death of Lottie Spittlehouse, a single girl, aged 18, who was found in a serfcius condition under a hedge in Heme Bay on October 9 and who died in the Auckland- hospital several hours later from the effects of poisoning.

For same days prior to her death the girl had lived at Pitt Street but her parents live at Ponsonby. »■ . '

Dr. W. H. Pettit said the girl had consulted him. She said she had already been seen by Dr. Miller and advised to discontinue her work. He gave her a tonic and also advised her to give more attention to her nourishment which she had been neglecting. He informed Dr. Miller of his action, but Dr. Miller said he was apprehensive .of her condition and thought she needed watching. . On October 5 Dr. Pettit again saw the girl. She appeared to be even more strained and nervous. He prescribed for her.

Dr. Miller said he had known the girl’s family for several years. On September 20 he received a call to the house of her family, where he was told she had started the “slimming craze” and had been away from home for three months. He examined her but found no organic disease. She . was much ’ below her right weight, however, and. was restless and in a state of general debility. The mother of the girl, Emily Elizabeth Spittlehouse, said her daughter had left home on June 1 and was away until about six weeks ago when she returned for a short time.

“She turned against me and her father for no reason at all.” Mrs. Spittlehouse added. ' “I think she left home partly because she would not eat her food and had a craze for slimming. After she had been away for some time I was told she had gone absolutely thin. I saw her and induced her to see Dr. Miller. “She came home again, but refused to take much food or medicine. She left us again on September 28.” The inquest was adjourned for the taking of formal evidence on the time and place of the girl’s death.