CAUSE OF DEATH IS A MYSTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 28 (Supplement)

CAUSE OF DEATH IS A MYSTERY.

CORONER DECIDES ON THOROUGH INQUIRY

“The case is a strange one and must be thoroughly inquired into ” said the Coroner at an inquest in Christchurch last evening. No cause has been disclosed of the death of Mr Albert William Furze, who lived at 156, Waimairi Road, Riccarton, and who died unexpectedly in the Christchurch Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Medical examination by two doctors before death disclosed nothing likely to cause death. A postmortem examination threw no light on the subject.

Mr E. D. Mosley opened an inquest j-esterday into the cause of death, and heard evidence, but adjourned the inquest sine die, in order that further inquiries may be made.

Dr C. W A. Ivimbell, house-surgeon at the hospital, said that deceased was brought into one of the wards and was examined *by witness about an hour and a half afterwards. He had a yellowish, or rather an icteric, tinge and seemed restless, irritable and nervous. He said that he had not been well for the past twelve months following an influenza attack, and that his chief symptom, was progressive weaknessa month before his admission he had influenza, and after that the weakness was more pronounced, and he had been in bed for the month; at night he could not use his legs, but that trouble was not present during the day. During the preceding few days he almost lost the use of his legs, even in the day, and could not sit up in bed without help. An examination showed that his heartsounds were weak, but his heart was quite regular. There was no sign of disease in the lungs. None of the organs seemed to be enlarged An examination of his nerves disclosed marked general weakness.

Richard Russell Furze, farmer, Victoria Road, St Martins, a brother of deceased, said that deceased was fortyone years of age and was married Witness took him to the hospital at midday on Wednesday, on Dr Hall’s advice. Deceased had thought that his teeth were troubling him and were causing poisoning of his system Dr Hall said that deceased’s heart and lungs were all right, but his liver was enlarged. Deceased had a large place in Waimairi Road, and seemed very bright and happy. The cause of his death was very puzzling. He said that some medicine prescribed for him when he was at his home had upset him greatly, causing much vomiting. A post-mortem examination in the hospital had disclosed nothing wrong with deceased. The Coroner said that the case was a strange one, and that it must be thoroughly inquired into. Mr A. W. Furze was a farmer. He was a son of the late Mr J. M. Furze, and v/as born at Dunsandel and educated at Christ’s College. After leaving college, he engaged in farming at Clydeville, Southland, and later at Rotherham, Canterbury. He did not take part in public life. He leaves a widow and tw-o daughters, one eleven years of age and the other fourteen.