STOP PRESS NEWS.
AN UNUSUAL CASE.
DUNEDIN, August 13. An inquest held this morning concerning the death of Gladys May McKenzie, of Geraldine, disclosed unusual conditions. According to the mother's evidence, the girl, who was eighteen years of age. enjoyed good healtli till three months ago, when Dr Paterson treated her for eye trouble. A month later she became hysterical and delusional. Dr Paterson suggested the removal of the girl to the hospital, where she was taken. The mother stated that she did not see the girl for a fortnight, when Dr Ulrich, of Tirnuru, and Dr Curtis, of Geraldine, were called in. Later Dr Paterson advised that the girl was insane, and that the place for her cure was Ashburn Hall, where she was duly committed. Dr Paterson told witness that she could take her daughter down in August, which she did. The girl was then unconscious, and remained so till her death. Dr Will, Superintendent of Ashburn Hall, stated that the girl was dying when she was committed. Dr Drennan, who conducted a post-mortem, stated that deceased died from the effect of acute bronchitis, with intense broncho-pneumonia. The brain changes were due to toxic lung conditions. ln his opinion, pneumonia had been present for some days, though it might be difficult to diagnose. Pneumonia could account for the brain conditions. The Coroner adjourned the inquest to get information as to why deceased was sent from Geraldine to Dunedin, in such a state of health. -Star, 13/8/1923.
A GIRL’S DEATH
THOUGHT TO BE INSANE.
CONDITION DUE TO BRONCHOPNEUMONIA.
Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, September 6. The inquest was resumed on the body of Gladys May McKenzie, who died at Ashburn Hall, Dunedin, after being sent from Geraldine.
Dr. Marshall Macdonald stated that when he saw deceased after arrival she was practically unconscious and in high fever with cheyne stokes breathing, and there was a symptom of brain trouble. He found signs of bronchitis, but none of pneumonia. He had since seen the temperature chart at Geraldine, which showed the temperature to be normal on the morning of the departure, and he did not think deceased had pneumonia when she left Geraldine. It was possible that pneumonia developed on the journey down by car. It seemed clear that the girl suffered from mental condition, and had a mild attack of influenza. Unfortunately, said the doctor, she travelled.
In answer to a question, witness said that in the light of what occurred it might have been an error of judgment for the doctors concerned to send the girl down.
The coroner said the reports showed that the girl’s mother had been troubling the doctors to get her away. Dr. Patterson had expressed the opinion that the girl was not fit to travel on July 30th, but on July 31st the parents sought other advice, Dr. Patterson finally giving permission for her to travel on the following Wednesday.
In returning a verdict of death from acute bronfhitis, the coroner expressed the opinion that a girl in that condition should not have been allowed to leave Geraldine without being carefully examined by the doctor who had charge of the case at the hospital. Gladys May McKenzie was 18 years of age, and enjoyed good health until about three months ago, when she became hysterical and subject to delusions. Deceased was taken from Geraldine to Dunedin and admitted to Ashburn Hall, a doctor having advised that the girl was insane and could be cured.
The superintendent of the hospital stated that the girl was in a dying condition when admitted, and a postmortem examination disclosed that death was due to the effects of bronchitis with intense broncho-pneumonia. The brain changes were due to toxic lung conditions. -NZ Tmes, 7/9/1923.
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