Gloucester Journal
Saturday, May 4, 1929
Page 23
FATAL SCALDS.
INQUEST ON BROOKTHORPE CHILD
Spalshed by Boiling Water from Kettle
"Everything seems to have been done that could have been in this case" remarked the Deputy Divisional Coroner (Mr. R. R. Smith) in recording a verdict of death from shock and heart failure as the result of accidental scalds at an inquest at Tuffley Police Station to-day on Leslie Frank Harold Smith, the 19 months-old child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arthur Smith, of Bryarcroft-cottages, Brookthorpe.
Elsie Kate Smith, the mother of the child, gave evidence of identification and also said that on Friday last she went with the boy to White House, Whaddon, the residence of her mother-in-law, Mrs Cove. Witness left the boy upstairs in the room where Mrs. Cove was lying ill. Presently she heard a call and going upstairs she found the child had been scalded. She dressed his feet and legs and sent for the doctor. On Saturday she summoned the district nurse who dressed the scalds, but the following morning the boy appeared to be much worse, and her husband sent for the doctor. Dr. Greene was called by a mistake and when he examined the child he said there was very slight hope of recovery. The child died shortly after the doctoe had gone.
KETTLE SLIPS FROM FIRE
Lily Maud Cove, wife of Harold Ernest Cove, of White House, Whaddon stated that when the previos witness visited her on Friday, the child was left with her. Whilst he was standing at the bottom of the bed, a kettle which was on a wood fire in an open grate near him, slipped and caused boiling water to pour out of the spout, this splashing on to his feet and legs. Witness took off his shoes and socks and called for his mother.
Dr. Thomas Neill, Stroud-road, Glouceter, stated that he was called to see the child between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday. He found there were scalds on the right foot and leg and on the left foot. The shock was not marked at the time. On Sunday he was again summoned to attend the child who had become worse. Previously however, Dr. Greene had through a telephoning error also been called to the child, and he informed witness of his visit. Witness went out later in the morning but found that the child was dead. In his opinion the cause of death was shock and heart failure following scalds.
The Coroner recording the verdict stated expressed sympathy with the relatives.
