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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 06 Aug 1938
Page 11 Column 6
A PRICKED FINGER
CAUSE OF WIVELISCOMBE WOMAN'S DEATH
A GARDENING MISHAP
A pricked finger, probably received when she was gardening, led to the death in the Taunton and Somerset Hospital of Mrs. Maria CROWCOMBE, aged 68, of Culverhead Lodge, Wiveliscombe.
This was disclosed at the inquest, which was conducted at the Hospital by the West Somerset Coroner, Mr. Geoffrey P. CLARKE, on Saturday morning.
Evidence of identification was given by a son, Mr. Robert Thomas CROWCOMBE, of Prince Hill, Worton, Devises.
PRICK AFTER GARDENING.
Mr. Tom CROWCOMBE, a gardener employed by Colonel TAYLOR, said that on Wednesday, July 20th, his wife planted a bed of flowers in their garden at the Lodge. The following day she complained of a headache, and on the Friday of pains in the back and under the arm. On Saturday she was worse, and on Sunday witness found a prick on the middle finger of her right hand. His wife was unable to explain how she got it there. She had always previously been a healthy woman. Witness fetched Dr. RANDOLPH on Saturday, July 23rd, and he at first thought his wife had gastric influenza. On Sunday he altered his opinion, and on Monday Mrs. CROWCOMBE was admitted to the Taunton Hospital.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
Dr. Ivor Lewis BRIGGS, house surgeon at the Hospital, said that Mrs. CROWCOMBE was admitted as a queried case of septicaemia. She received treatment, but died at 8 p.m. on July 27th. The only evidence of a wound was a prick on a finger; of the right hand. Mrs. CROWCOMBE was unable to tell witness how she got the prick. She had a very high temperature.
Dr. Godfrey CARTER, pathologist, who made a post-mortem examination, said that in his opinion the cause of death was acute septicaemia, following upon purulent cellulitis, the result of the slight wound on the right hand.
The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and added that the fatal wound was probably caused when Mrs. CROWCOMBE was gardening.
Replying to an expression of sympathy, Mr. CROWCOMBE thanked the doctors and nurses for their kindness to his wife.
SHOCK TO WIVELISCOMBE.
The news of Mrs. CROCOMBE's death after such a brief illness came as a considerable shock to the townsfolk. She had previously enjoyed good health and had led a very active life. She was the wife of Mr. T. CROWCOMBE of Culverhead Lodge, and was a native of Langford Budville. For nearly 30 years she lived at Bathealton, where her husband was a much-respected employee of the Bathealton Court Estate during this period. Mr. and Mrs. CROCOMBE came to live at Wiveliscombe about eleven years ago. Mrs. CROWCOMBE took little part in any organisations, but by her kindly personality gained a host of friends, by whom she will be greatly missed. Widespread sympathy has been extended to Mr. CROWCOMBE and her two sons and four daughters.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral took place at St. Andrew's Church on Saturday, the Vicar, Rev. K. W. P. TEALE, officiating.
The principal mourners were:- Mr. T CROWCOMBE (husband), Mrs. Jesse MARTIN Mrs. Flo BRYANT, Mrs. Margaret FURZE, and Miss Ruth CROWCOMBE (daughters), Messrs Tom and Jack CROWCOMBE (sons), Messrs. Sid Martin and Edward FURZE (sons-in-law), Mrs. JAMES (sister-in-law), Mr. Jim CROWCOMBE (brother-in-law), Messrs. Harry and Sam CROCOMBE (nephews), Mrs. PALTERMAN and sister (cousins), Miss G JENKINS and Mr. A. VICKERY (friends).
Others present included:- Lieut.-Colonel H. JEFFERYS TAYLOR Dr. W. H. RANDOLPH, Miss E. CLEMENTS, Miss TRICKEY, Mrs. W. LANDFORD, Mrs. W. JONES, Mrs. W. E. BAKER, Mr. and Mrs. COOKE, Miss RAWLE, Mrs. C. SHORNEY, Mrs T. R. HILL, Miss E. HILL, Mrs. J. BURTON, Mrs. O. L. PARSONS, Miss M. ARSCOTT, Miss A. SEDGBEER, Mrs. J. WARREN, Mrs. S. G. J. WARREN, Mrs. GRIFFITHS, Mrs. MILNER, Mr. and Mrs. WILLIS, Miss TRISTRAM, Mrs. W. BURSTON, Mrs. W. CHIDGEY, Mr. Chas. COLLARD, Misses SMITH, Mr. S. G. NATION, Mr. R TIDBOALD, and Mr. C. E. BERRY.
There was many wreaths.