INQUEST AT GOVERNOR'S BAY.
An inquest was held at Governor's Bay yesterday, at the Ocean View Hotel, before W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, into the death of Jessie McLeod. Mr John Gebbie was chosen foreman of the jury.
Harriett Edmonds said she was present at the confinement of the deceased on Dec. 24 of the present month, at her house. The child was born dead. Deceased complained greatly of faintness, and seemed gradually to sink, dying about twenty minutes past 8 in the afternoon. The child was burned. The doctor was there during the birth. He arrived at about 1 o'clock, and was there at the death. Witness thought the woman should have had more attention than she did. She was, witness thought, in a dying state, and should have received medical attendance on the previous day.
Agnes Gebbie said: She lived close to the deceased, and was in the habit of seeing her every day. Witness saw deceased on the Sunday previous to her death. Advised deceased to go to bed, and gave her some medicine. Witness then advised her to go into town to the doctor. She replied she thought she was not able. When witness saw her again she was up, and witness told her again that she thought she was doing wrong. Deceased said she was a little better. Saw her again on Monday morning at 9 o'clock. She was very weak, but was going about trying to do her work. Told her again to go to bed and that witness would do her work for her, but she did not go. Went away at 2 o'clock. At 6 o'clock saw her milking a cow. She said she was quite well. At half-past 7 next morning she said she had been very ill during the night. Did what witness could for her. Told her husband to get a doctor. A man was sent, the doctor arriving between 5 and 6 in the evening (Tuesday). Deceased was examined by the doctor, who said "There was no life there." He made a second exanimation, and said that witness need not be afraid. She was bandaged by the doctor, who gave orders to keep the bandage tight. Those directions were followed. The doctor left half an hour afterwards. Witness left at about half past 11, deceased then appearing to be worse. Medicine was given, by the doctor's orders, every two hours. Went back about 8 a.m. next morning, being called by deceased's husband. She was much worse, and unable to lift her head. Mrs Matchford was sent for, who said witness could do no more than she was doing. Mrs Pope was attending on deceased during witness' absence. Dr Macdonald was again sent for, and arrived between 11 and 12 o'olock. The child was born between 11 and 12 o'clock, shortly after Mrs Edwards' arrival. The woman sank after the birth. The doctor did what he could for deceased, who died, sinking gradually. Deceased way given brandy and beef tea by the doctor's orders till she died.
By Sergeant-Major Mason: The doctor arrived after the birth. He told witness to put the child in the fire, but witness could not do so. Believed one of the other woman did so, Mrs Blatchford threw the medicine into the fire after the death. Thought the child should have been removed the day before. The doctor said there was no child. Otherwise everything possible was done by him. Witness was not one of those who asked the Coroner to hold an enquiry.
Hugh Macdonald, M.D., said he saw Mrs McLeod on Tuesday Dec. 23. Was called to see deceased without knowing what was the matter with her. Examined her, and saw she had been flooding for several days. Asked her if she was pregnant. She replied she was not sure. On examination, witness said there was no life there, but found what he took to be a soft lump in the womb. Applied a bandage and gave orders to continue the cold water application. He prescribed for her. Left at half-past seven. Deceased was then comfortable, she said. Sent some medicine out as soon an witness got home. Next morning at 12.30 p.m. she was much weaker. Administered juice of meat and brandy and water. Gave the usual applications, when she rallied slightly, but relapsing, died at about twenty minutes to three. Witness described the symptoms in medical terms.
Thomas Orr Guthrie, sworn, said he had made a post mortem examination of deceased. Found the body well nourished. There were no external marks whatever. The right lung showed signs of old disease; the other organs ware healthy, but pale and bloodless, as was the brain. The heart and larger blood vessels were also empty. The deceased died from loss of blood. From the evidence witness heard, the treatment used was that usually applied, and the remedies used the best. The child was by law not a child, but a miscarriage. Dt Guthrie here stated, to avoid any misapprehension on the subject, that although Dr Macdonald had been present at the post mortem, he had taken no part in it whatever. He had not even suggested anything in regard to it, nor did he know the purport of witness' evidence until he heard it given. It was usual for doctors to give directions as to the disposal of miscarriages.
The verdict was that "Jessie McLeod died from 'flooding,' but that Dr Macdonald showed an error of judgment in not having removed the foetus on the day previous to the death of the woman." - Lyttelton Times, 30/12/1884.
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