Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 16 September 1932
Inquest on Rumour
Dying Thurnscoe Woman’s Delirium
Unsupported Suspicion
On Monday Mr. W. H. Carlile and a jury inquired into the death of Marion Dunbar, aged 28, wife of Ernest Dunbar, 7, York Street, Thurnscoe.
Mrs. Dunbar died in the Montagu Hospital on Sunday, 4th Sept., following an operation.
The Coroner said it was reported that from 15th August the woman complained of pains in the head, and suffered from diarrhoea and sickness. From the 29th she was medically attended, but on 1st September Dr. Donnelly ordered her removal to hospital. When questioned she denied being in a certain condition, but she was operated on for an incomplete abortion and died on Sunday morning.
Owing to certain statements she was alleged to have made in delirium while in hospital, exhaustive inquiries had been made and a post-mortem examination ordered. Dr. Bhalla, a member of the hospital staff, had passed to him that morning an anonymous letter containing certain allegations. It was very difficult to get substantial evidence in those cases, but they got those rumours and were bound to investigate them.
The widower said they had two children, aged seven years and two years. He did not know there was anything abnormal about his wife’s condition and he was very surprised to learn she had had a miscarriage. His wife was very fond of children. No strange woman had visited the house recently to his knowledge.
Nurse Eleanor Ruth Dean, of the hospital staff, said she nursed the woman between 10 and 10-40 on the morning she died. The woman was delirious and very noisy, but witness did not take any notice of what she said. She had not reported that the woman had made a certain statement in delirium. The woman did not say at any time while she was nursing her that anyone had interfered with her.
The Coroner: She did not say anything in our presence about having an illegal operation?—Nothing.
The Coroner asked that Dr. Dunbar be called, explaining to the jury that it was necessary to investigate the source of the report, as it alone justified the holding of the inquiry.
In the meantime, the evidence was taken of Louisa Oates, married, 130, Deightonby Street, Thurnscoe, sister of the deceased, who said she visited Mrs. Dunbar frequently, but knew nothing of anything abnormal about her condition till she visited her in hospital. She saw her in hospital on the morning of the day on which she died. She was “demented” and screamed out, “I have got rid of a baby.”
The Coroner said according to inquiries which had just been made, it was one of the staff sisters who had made the statement which started the inquiry, and she was at present away. It would, therefore, be unnecessary to take evidence from Dr. Dunbar.
Dr. H. S. Bhalla said he attended the woman on Friday, 2nd Sept in the hospital, and diagnosed an incomplete abortion and a pelvic abscess. Other treatment failing, an operation on Saturday morning was decided on. Owing to the woman’s condition he operated on the abdominal condition only, leaving the abscess in the hope that the woman would regain strength to undergo the second operation. She died, however, at 11-15 a.m. on 4th Sept.
On a post-mortem examination he found no evidence of an instrument having been used, but it did not follow that one had not been used. It was possible to use an instrument and not cause damage. The cause of death was general peritonitis, a perforated ovarian abscess and incomplete abortion. He could not say what caused the Abortion.
The Coroner said the investigations were really started by the alleged ramblings of the woman in delirium. They know how much attention to pay to such statements, but in such a serious matter those things had to be followed up. The police and others had made all possible inquiries. It was possible for anyone to use an instrument and leave no trace—it was only the unfortunate ones who were discovered. They had heard really no evidence of interference, and if the jury found that—and he could not see how on the evidence they could find anything else —they would return a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, that death was due to natural causes.
A juryman asked how Nurse Dean stood. There seemed to be an impression left that there was some doubt about her evidence.
Mr. Carlile: Oh, there is no suggestion against Nurse Dean. I explained to you that we had now learned that the report was made by a sister who is away at present; and I hardly think I should be justified in adjourning the inquest in order to hear her evidence. I quite accept the statement of Nurse Dean—and I expect you do.
Jurymen: Yes.
A verdict was recorded as stated.