INQUEST AT KAKAHU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2250, 5 September 1891, Page 3

INQUEST AT KAKAHU.

An inquest was held yesterday at the house of Mr William Russell, Kakahu, on the body of his wife, Isabella Russell, who ■died during confinement on Thursday last. !The inquest was held before H. W. Moore, Esq., J.P., and a jury of six, of whom Mr James Mailer'was apppointed foreman. William Russell, husband of deceased, deposed that he was away from home when the death occurred. He had engaged Mrs Jessie Baillie three months previously to attend to his wife. Mrs Russell had seven children before and never had a doctor, and j therefore a doctor was not arranged for. Deceased was 39 years of age and was of good constitution, but was troubled with neuralgia during the past fortnight. she was much stronger. , To the Foreman: " He told deceaseed on Monday morning when he left home to be sure and send for a doctor if she thought she would require one, but she told him that she wag very much stronger, and did not wish to go to the expense. Provision was made to send for a doctor if one was required. Jessie Baillie, residing at Winchester, deposed that she was an experienced nurse, but without a diploma. She came up to attend Mrs Russell on the 22nd of August, but she did not become ill until last Thursday at 9.U0 a.m. A few minutes after the child was born the deceased went into convulsions. Witness had never had such a case before. There was no woman in the house beside herself, and she sent for a neighbor immediately the child was born. She put cold water cloths on deceased, and ~ hailed a Mr Innes who was passing by and sent for the doctor. She had seven years' experience as a durse, and never had a case like the present. Deceased died about 12. The convulsions continued off and on till death. Deceased was not quite conscious at death, but was a short time previously. Deceased would not hear of her sending for a doctor. Dr Fish gave evidence that he was called in, and arrived afcout 2. 15 p.m. He found Mrs Russell dead. To Mr Moore : From his experience of many cases he had never had a fatal case by flooding similar to the present case, and had he been summoned in time probably he could have saved Mrs Russell's life. A purse withQufc more than ordinary ex-

perience should not attempt a case like the present, and he thought that Mrs Baillie had acted wisely in not attempting it, and i he could not blame her in any -way. To the Foreman : He had about six years ago attended Mrs Russell, and from what he had seen of her, she was a woman who could ill afford to lose any blood. He would say that the cause of death in the present case was flooding. After due deliberation the jury returned a verdict of " Died from natural causes, according to medical evidence " and added a rider to the effect " that no blame is attached to the nurse, who did all in her power to save the deceased."