DEATH FROM BURNS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160737, 25 August 1920, Page 11

DEATH FROM BURNS

TRIALS OF THE BACKBLOCKS. HAMILTON, August 24. An example of the suSerings that sometimes have to be undergone by backblock settlers in cases of sickness 1 and accident, was given at an inquest at Hamilton yesterday on a young girl named Edith May Archer, aged 14, daughter of Mr AY. T. Archer, farmer, of Ngaroma. The girl died in the Waikato Hospital late on Friday as the result of bums received whilst standing with her back to the fire brushing her sister’s hair, on July 21. AVhen the girl’s clothes caught fire her mother threw a bucket of water over her, extinguishing the flames, and then applied oil to the burns. A messengef rode into Te Awamutu, 36%uJgs away, where the nearest doctor was located, but the doctor could not go out at the time, though he sent directions back as to what to do. Later the messenger had to ride in again and the doctor went out and found the girl to be suffering from very severe burns about the back and hips. He ordered her removal to the hospital, but the best conveyance was a heavy farm cart, on the floor of which a mattress was placed. Anyone with a knowledge of King County roads need not be told that a journey in a dray over them, even when one is in good health, is by no meqns a joy ride. A message had been previously got through to Hamilton for an ambulance, but the only motor vehicle which the Waikato Hospital Board possesses was in use in another direction. Eventually a motor car from Te Awamutu met the dray, and after an exceedingly painful journey, the girl was finally got to the hospital on August Ist. There she remained in a critical state until death supervened on Friday. The medical evidence showed that the parents of -the girl carried out the doctor’s instructions until her removal to the hospital, and that death was due to septic absorption. A verdict in accordance with tlie medical evidence was returned.