CORONIAL INQUIRY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 222, 10 December 1926, Page 5

CORONIAL INQUIRY

DEATH OF A CHILD. ANALYTICAL FEATURES. In the Courthouse yesterday afternoon, before Mr CJias Saunders, J.P., the circumstances surrounding the death of Colin Desmond Jensen, infant son of Mr and Mrs A. R. Jensen of Makaretu, in the Waipukurau Hospital on November Ist.

Alice Jensen, mother of the deceased child, gave evidence that he was born on September 16th, and had not been healthy over since birth. On October 25th took the child to Dr Reed, and he prescribed orange juice and told witness to rub the chest with camphorated, oil. He said the child had a weak chesti and would require special care.' On October 31st the child was ailing all day. At about S p.m. gave what was thought to be a. half packet of Steedman’s teething powers. Immediately after witness noted that the powder had come from a paper which was different from the usual. Noticed a change in the child at the time, hut havingtasted the powder and finding it bitter, and no directions on the'paper became alarmed, and decided to consult the doctor. Took the child to Mr Reid’s place at Oiiga Onga and there met Dr Reed. Before going the child had attacks which appeared to be-fits. Subsequently went to the hospital with the child, in Dr Reed’s car. At the hospital a sister took' the child under care. There was a peculiar noise coming from the child’s throat all the time. When the child was dying witness was called by the Sister and stayed till the event occurcd, shortly after.

The powder had been kept in. a box in her bedroom and was quite easy of access to anybody. Saw the tablets ob- ( tained by Dr Reed placed in the saute box by the nurse attending the confinement of witness. Two had 'beci l l given witness by the nurse. Did not know what became of the third one. One ofi the powders had been partly used. The tablets were very small Knew that there was half of . a Steedman’s powder in a packet, which was what witness thought, was given to the child. Found afterwards that this half was still in the box. Other children of witness were quite healthy. The amount of powder was very little, not more than would go on the tip of her finger. Bertha Pedersen, midwife, of Makarctu, stated that she had attended Airs Jensen in September last, Dr Reed being also in attendance. Three tablets had been supplied by Dr. Reed for Airs •Tense. These were rolled in a piece of writing paper and placed in an empty box on Airs Jensen’s dressing-table. Had been told to give Mrs Jensen one each night, and to keep .them out of the children’s reach. The box was otherwise empty. Gave Mrs Jensen two, and wrapped the other up carefully after the second night. The child looked healthy at the time witness left, J 3 days after birth, but she had a lot of trouble to keep him from choking. Witness had considerable experience as a nurse and was the mother of 11 children. There were no Steedman’s powders in the box at this time. Did not tell Airs Jensen about putting the tablets in the box. Was later called back to see the child —then between five and six weeks old—owing to unfavourable symptoms Advised Airs Jensen to get the doctor if the child did not improve. Dr James Lewis Reed said he was called by telephone on October 31st, between 9 and 10 p.m., by Air Jensen, stating that his wife thought she had made a mistake, giving the wrong powder to the baby. Was on the point of going to Onga Onga to Airs Reid’s. Saw

the baby there. He was unconscious, pulseless, and had a bluish grey colour. In view of what Mrs Jensen told him about the possibility of having given a tabloid (of morphia, and atropine) which' had been left formatter confinement purposes, made a special examination for morphia and atropine poison', but there were no definite signs of such. The child’s pupils were not contracted. Witness washed out the stomach and injected strychnine and ether. The child showed no response to treatment at first, but later the pulse action returned. Advised Mrs Jensen toj.biing the baby into Hospital at once. Previous to leaving for the Hospital the baby opened its eyes two or ■ three times, and showed signs of returning consciousness, but the breathing still remained bad, and the discolouration the same. On the way in the child cried several times and moved its limbs frequently. Reached the hospital at about 1.30. On admission the ..child’s ,pulse was better but the cyanosed condition was more marked and the breathing

stertorous. The child was put to bed and instructions given to the night sister as regarding tsimulants and other treatment if required. Did not see the child again as ho died very suddenly. As directed by the Coroner, a post mortem examination was held and it was found that die body was well nourished and‘ there were no signS'-of external violence. •. The right side of the heart- was engorgml with blood, but the organs al thy. There were no signs of disease iii the lungs but they were congested.' No mechanical obstructibi- r-was'in i'he air passages. ThV .IddneVs, spleen, ’and liver were congested, the .stomach empty, and showing no signs of irritation. There was great enlargement; of' the thymus gland. Took specimens Tot analysis of the spleen, portions- of'the liver, -ami one kidney. Was unable at the time to say the cause of death, pending the result of thcanalysis. Had read the .report of the analysis of the organs mentioned. They all gave negative results. In his opinion the cause of death was duo to -status lymhaticus, a condition with enlargement of the thymus, in which sudden death stridor and cyanosis are liable to occur. Constable John Butler, Waipukurau. deposed to receiving on November 3rd from Dr. Reed, a jar containing exhibits from the body of the child, also a box containing some powders, handed to witness by Mr Jenson. These specimens were sent to the Government analyst. Wellington, and the result of the report, received on the Sth was in the negative, there being no trace of poison revealed by the tests made. CORONER’S FINDING. “That the child died owing to status lympliaticus. death being in no way attributable to poison,"' was the verdict of the Coroner.