FATAL CONSEQUENCES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 26 June 1924, Page 6

FATAL CONSEQUENCES

FROM POISONED FINGER

LOCAL MAN’S DEATH

A most unfortunate occurrence, m which a slight wound was attended with fatal results, was revealed at the Timaru Courthouse yesterday Mteinoon, when a inquest touching .he death of death of Edward James Wright, a married man, aged ou years, was held before the district coronei., Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. It was stated that the late Mr Wright, who was in the employ 7 of Messrs Morton and Pearson, had the misfortune to slightly damage the index finger of the right hand, while handling ;ome cases on Friday, June 6th. On the Monday following he was confined to his home, the wound in the meantime having become poisoned. After receiving medical attention he was removed to the Public Hospital, where the finger was amputated. The operation was successful, but his condition gradually became worse, and although everything possible was done for him, the deceased weakened, and passed away at S p.m. on Monday evening.

THE INQUEST. Giving evidence at the inquest Dr. Drvden said ho was called in see deceased in the morning of the 9'.h inst., and found him suffering from a poisoned wound ou the index linger of the right hand. The necessary treatment was ordered, and wituess again visited him in the afternoon, when his finger was a good deal easier. Next morning wituess visited deceased, who was fairly comfortable. On the Hth inst. he complained of a good deal of pain, and witness suggested that he be taken to a hospital. Later, he learned he had been removed to the Public Hospital, where witness saw ’■ ' on the 23rd inst. Deceased i„ d told him that he had hurt Ins hand while handling cases. . ' To tho Coroner: Witness did no. suggest that deceased should only go to a private hospital. The suggestion was that he should go to a hospital either private or public, whichever lie wished. Witness did not attend h-m after his admission to the Public HosParr, medical superintendent at the Timaru Public Hospital, stated tliat deceased was admitted to hospital on June 11th. He stated that , his finger had been bad for a week, and thought that he had scratched it at his work. There was a septic area near the tip of the finger, and this was opened. Next day the septic part spread over tlie finger, which was amputated that nio-ht. ~ The same evening the patient became delirious. After amputation, the condition of tlie hand was quito satisfactory, and deceased showed no signs or general septic infection. For a few days lie was violent, and then weakened, also rel'usiug food. His general condition rapidly became worse,. and lie died oil June 23rd at 8 p.m. >1 is mental condition may have been due to the septic finger, as there was,: no ether physical condition to account for his death, although he was not of a very healthy appearance. A general anaesthetic was given the night he entered tlie hospital, and another when* the finger was amputated. Dr. Gabites stated that, acting under instructions received from the coroner he performed a post mortem examination of the deceased on Tuesday. Tlie l ight index finger had been amputated,. and the wound was in a healthy condition. The heart and lungs appeared to be healthy. The only unusual condition was in the brain, the outside membrane of which, was much more firmly adhered to the inside of +he skull than usual. The blood vessels nt tlie brain were markedly engorged, atul the brain tissue was congested in certain parts. Tin condition of the brain was the oulv thing unusual revealed by the examination. Death, in hri opinion, was from syncope, due to exhaustion, following septic absorption and mania. . Nellie Wright, wife of the deceased, stated that, lie was fifty years of age. and at the time of his death was era ployed at Messrs Morton and Pearson. On' Saturday, the nth inst., be complained to her that lie bad scratched his finger while unloading cases at Ins work On Monday morning at about 0 a.m. witness sent for Dr. Drvden. as the finger had been very pain tul since Saturday night, Witness bac bathed the wound with boracic and water. Dr. Drvden called that morning. and also in the afternoon. Oil Wednesday morning witness sent for the doctor, who came up at mid-day and examined the hand. Her husband told her that lie had asked the doctor to lance his finger, but he said that there might have been some germs about the house and that lie should go to a hospital. The doctor asked hei husband to go to a private hospital, but her husband said lie' preferred to go to the public hospital. On Wednesday evening- her husband got his nephew to take him to a public hospital. The deceased always ate well. Harold Francis Morton, auctioneer, stated that the deceased was in his employ at the time of his death, and did general store work. On Monday, tlie 9th inst., deceased did not eo_me to work. He had made no complaint of any injury. The Coroner stated that it seemed extraordinary that a man should lose his life in the manner _ lie did. Imt, after hearing the medical evidence, it left no doubt as to the cause of Dio death. The wound originally was no worse than injuries that were being received daily. Dr. Dryden was quuo right in recommending his removal to a hospital. The treatment deceased find veeeivod was amnrently the host that could possibly have been done for him. . , . , A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.