New Britain herald., 1917-01-17
PAID ORDERLY AT THE TOWN HOME
City to Act Following Death Of
 Inmate from SCalding

4 Superintendent and Mrs. E. F. kib- be of the New Britain Town Home were exonorated of any contributory negligence in connection with the ssomewhat unusual death of Charles NSeaberg, an inmate who died at the hospital from a shock following burns received in bath tub last Friday by Mayor George A. Quigley, Chair man Frank Riley of the board of charity and Charity Commissioners Harry Morton, Charles G. Miller and Peter Curran following a lengthy in- vestigation at the municipal institu- tion yesterday afternoon. In addition the investigators learned enough of conditions to assure them that should such a tragedy re-occur, responsibility would rest on the city as there is no paid orderly at the home to care for helpless patients and it is impossible for MT and Mrs. Kibbe and one nurse to give all of the inmates per sonal care all of the time.
 The case the mayor and commits sioners were Investigating is well known. Charles seaberg. a locomo- tor ataxia victim, was left alone in a bathroom by an attendant and when tho latter returned he found the man in the bath tub of hot water unable to llSlp himself. Seaberg died at the Hospital from a nervous shock result ing from the burns.
 kibbes Tell Their Story. The mayor and commissioners first questioned Superintendent Kibbe re- garding the incident. MT. k1bbe stated that he was out in the farm yard when he heard screams issuing from the main building. Thinking it was an insane man, lodged in a cell, he came in to Investigate, and then looked further, finally going to the bathroom where he found Seaberg in the tub. The man was sitting in half reclining position, both hands on the edge of the tub, his left foot rAised out of the water and his right foot and back in the water. The hot water faucet was turned on and there was about Six inches of water in the tab As soon as the injured man was taken from the tub the house nurse, Mss Thomas. was summoned to give first aid and Dr. G. w. Dunn was called.
 MT. Kibbe explained that Seaberg had been an inmate at the home since 1913 and was victim of locomotor ataxia to such an extent that he oft times fell on the floor and had to be assisted to his feet. He also said the man did not have normal control of himself and frequently needed baths, which were given him by some well disposed inmate. He never took baths alone, the superintendent said.
 aMrs Kibbe told what she knew of the case. Her story was relatively tfe same as that told by MT. Kibbe. 10th thought the screams were issu- Ing from the cell where the police department has placed an insane man for observation. Mrs. Kibbe said that after Seaberg had been given medical attendance she asked him why he had tried to get into the bath tub alone, to which he replied, "1 needed it Mrs. Kibbe, but if God will spare my life this time I'll never do it again." Mrs. Kibbe explained the mans physical Condition to show how baths were frequently necessary. but she said he was never permitted to bathe alone.
 Miss Thomas. the nurse, was ques- toned regarding the case but she knew of none of the details except the nature of the mans burns. She said his right foot had been badly scalded and he had burn on his back. She said she applied first aid methods and made the patient as comfortable as possible until the doctor arrived. All three witnesses declared that at no time did Seaberg lose consciousness and he talked freely while his wounds were being dressed. When the police arrived to take him to the hos pital Seaberg followed all directions given him regarding getting onto the stretcher.
 Orderly Badly Needed.
 The most important witness of the entire probe was an inmate named Gene Jones, who was the last man with Seaberg before his injury. Jones was closely questioned but his story did not vary. He said that Seaberg was badly in need of a bath and some clean clothes and he took him to the bathroom where he gave him a bath He said he drew the water all out of the tub, saw that Seaberg got out of the tub and into a chair beside 1t be- fore he left to get some clean clothes. He had to wait short time before he could get the necessary clothes from the nurse and in the meantime heard IllItnn DrllEE ED0M