Doris Hounslow

Doris Hounslow died from a septic abortion.

She died in hospital on the 9 May 1943.

She was married to a man serving in the army and had two children, a 2-year-old boy and a 14-month old girl.

At her inquest it was heard that her husband had come home just after Christmas.

An aunt of Doris Hounslow said that in early March 1943 Doris Hounslow asked her to go to the hospital with her to have two teeth extracted but that on the morning they were due to go Doris Hounslow complained of feeling unwell and when a doctor was later called for her he advised her to go to the hospital. The aunt said that at no time did Doris Hounslow mention to her that she had been in a certain condition or that she had done anything to avert that.

It was noted that she had been quite happy and comfortable with her children.

Another aunt said that when she went to visit Doris Hounslow in hospital, Doris Hounslow told her that she had taken a number of Beecham's pills.

A doctor at the hospital said that Doris Hounslow told her that on 5 March 1943 she had had a sudden and severe haemorrhage and also admitted taking 100 Beecham's pills over three days.

She said that her condition was due to a partial abortion and that she was given appropriate treatment and seemed to improve after admission, but later became worse and died on 9 May 1943.

The doctor said that she found no evidence of any instrumental interference and concluded that her death was due to pneumonia and peritonitis following an abortion.