BABY’S DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20361, 19 July 1934, Page 5

BABY’S DEATH.

Died in Nurse’s Arms on Horseback. TRAGEDY OP BACKBLOCKS. (Special to the “ Star.”) STRATFORD, July 19. 'A distressing backblocks tragedy was l-evealed at the inquest held here by Mr. W. li. Kennedy, district coroner, into the death of a 2£ months old baby girl, who died in the arms of the district nurse while being carried on horseback to hospital. The child was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Anderson, who live at thfe Moki sawmill, beyond Tahora.

The evidence of the mother showed that the child contracted whooping cough, but the trouble was not recognised for some time.

Nurse D. M. Workman, district nurse at Wbangamomona for the Stratford Hospital Board, said that she advised the mother to giv© the child humanised milk, but on Saturday she received a further message stating that the child was very ill. She communicated with the medical superintendent of the Stratford Hospital, 40 miles away, by telephone, and he advised further* treatment. On Sunday she visited the Anderson home, having to leave her car at Tahora and ride nine miles on horseback. She again communicated with the doctor, and he advised wrapping the child up warmly and bringing her to Stratford. This was done, a hot water bottle being placed in the blankets for additional warmth. The witness then left, accompanied by the parents, and she carried the child in her arms. When the top of the Moki saddle was reached the child died.

After hearing the evidence of Dr. D. Steven, medical superintendent of the Stratford Hospital, the coroner returned a verdict of death from pneumonia, following whooping cough. He said the evidence disclosed that everything possible had been done for the child,