Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-12-27
The Case OF Aurora S. Flint.

(From the Burlington Free Preas)
In August, 1893, a despatch from Barre
was printed in the news columns OF thit
paper, stating In substance that young
woman, named Aurora s. Flint, had been
brought to hotel in that village from the
Mary Fletcher hospital in Burlington
where she had been under treatment; that
three days later she died and was buried
in the village cemetery; that shortly after,
| in view OF rumors which were circulating
In regard to the cause of her death. the
states attorney OF Orange county caused
her body to be exhumed and an examina-
ton made by certain surgeons named THAT
the examination was conducted secretly at
night; but that 1t was reported that It dis
closed evidences OF malpractice, which, 1t
was intimated, might result in criminal
prosecution. No person was named In the
despatch as implicated in the supposed
crime. 1t was incidentally mentioned
that Miss Flint had been In the employ Of
West Randolph and that it was reported
that he paid the expenses of her funeral.
No word or hint that there was any in
accuracy or anything wrong In the de-
spatch, came to this Office. No further
mention was made OF the matter, and 1t
passed out of the minds Of the editors and
no doubt out OF the minds OF most OF the
readers Of the Free Press.
Recently information was received to
the effect that the suspicious Of malprac-
tice entertained at the time had proved to
be unfounded; that the states attorney
obtained no evidence on which to found
prosecution, and that Mr.. j. Gilman Mann
OF West Randolph considered himself to
have been wronged by the publication OF
the name of Gilbert Mann in connection
with the case. We were further informed
that ample surgical evidence in regard to
the causes OF Miss Flints death, and in
disproof of the surmise that she was vic
tim Of malpractice, would be forthcoming.
This evidence has been received, and we
make haste to print it as follows:
STATEMENT OF DIR. M. L. SCOTT.
/ first saw Miss Aurora Flint, May Is,
1893. Found high fever Of typhoid type
she was at times delirious, and at the time
Of my first visit she was menstruating reg
ularly.
The fever left her in low condition and
large abscess formed on the lower part
OF the back, which ! opened and evacu-
ated large amount Of pus. | advised her
immediate removal to the hospital for con-
stitutional treatment. She was under my
daily care from May IS, 1893, to June 10,
1898. Her condition presented nothing ex-
traordinary or unusual.
M. L. ScoTT, M. ID.
Randolph, VT, Dec. s, 1895.
State Of Vermont, Orange County, 49,
At Randolph, this 9th day of December,
A. d., 1895, personally appeared M. L.
Scott, M. D., and made oath to the fore
going in due form OF law.
Before me,
j. B. Eldredge,
Notary Public.
STATEMENT OF DR.. L. M. BINGHAM.
Burlington, VT, Dec. s, 1895.
am requested to state what ! know
concerning Miss Aurora Flint Of West
Randolph, upon whom operated In June,
1893. operated upon Miss Flint at two
different times during the month OF June,
1898.
The disease for which operated was tu-
involving, originally the sacro-
lilies joint (the joint between the lower
end of spine and haunch or leg bone).
The disease extended from this joint OF
origin all through the gluteal muscles
(buttOcks) aud down upon the thigh.
There was one large and several small dis
Becting abscesses which were opened and
found to contain tubercular material
The operation was necessarily extensive,
and the prognosis unfavorable as to re-
covery.
The question OF pregnancy and abortion
was brought up by DR.. Andrews, superin-
bendent OF the hospital, who asked me to
make special observation. ! found moth |
Ing that would lead me to even think that
,ither condition had been present, and |
he diseased condition found certainly had |
lothing to do, neither was il in any way |
connected with the organs OF generation.
The pelvic organs were free from disease |
n the evidence Of disease. In my opin-
on there was no. evidence whatever OF
mechanical or instrumental attempts to
produce abortion.
L. M. BINGHAM.
was house surgeon at the Mary Fetch
If hospital at the time that Miss Aurora
flint was under treatment there. Twas
present and assisted at the operation upon
bove referred to and know the above
tatenent to be entirely correct.
H. r. WATKINS.
In June, 1898, Miss Aurora Flint was re-
eived at the Mary Fletcher hospital for
reatment of what were considered and
reated as tubercular Assesses. Some un-
'leasant reports having reached me, did
SIX DR.. L. M. Bingham, surgeon then on
uty, to make an examination for EVIL
ence Of pregnancy and abortion. He
i'd 80 examine and reported to me at
hat time as he has stated above.
B. J. Andrews,
Supt. Mary Fletcher Hospital.
STATEMENT OF DIR. A. P. GRINNELL.
Burlington, Dec. II, 1895.
Agreeable to your request l make the
SLOWING statement In regard to the ex- |
mination which / made on the body Of
urora Flint, who died in Barre in July,
1873. e
The object of making this examination l
as, il possible, to determine the cause OF !
cath.
We found abundant evidence OF proof OF I
luse of death being septic poison, or 7
lood poisoning, caused by absorption +
ON Assesses developing in several por
ons OF the body. We were unable to find
~ evidence whatever tending to show
lat pregnancy had ever taken place, or Y
lat any violence had been perpetrated. q
A. p. GRINNELL. 9
STATEMENT OF DIR. J. H. LINsLEY.
Burlington, VT, Dec. II, 1895. =
At your request beg to submit the fol-
wing statement regarding an autopsy
made for DIR. A. p. Grinnell on the body
Aurora Flint in Barre, VT, in August,
49, Al
| found no evidence OF the existence OF
oonopcv md from facts looruod ON 4 A