Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1895 — Killed by a Green Thread. [ARTICLE]

Killed by a Green Thread.

Marla Del Donnla, the 4-months-old daughter of Antonio Del Doilnia, who lives in the annexed district, had her ears pierced, according to the Italian custom, when she was christened three weeks ago last Saturday. A week ago last night the baby awoke about 12 o’clock and cried. Her little limbs began to twitch aud her face became distorted. Oue of the baby's ears also began to swell, so in the morning the parents sent for Dr. E. L. Ernbout. The doctor found the child in convulsions, and the face on the side of the affected ear was so inflamed that it was almost half as large again as it ought to be. The baby was suffering from blood-poisoning, which had affected the brain. He looked at the ears and asked what had been done to the child. “The ears were pierced,” was the answer, “and the midwife ptit green silk through the puncture to keep it open.” ' “That is what made your child sick,” said the doctor. “The green thread has poisoned her blood. I can do little for her.” The sick baby developed erysipelas, and the doctor told the parents he could not save her. The midwife, Del Donnia said, was Maria Asunta Anuelli. He said she took an ordinary needle and pierced the child's ears, and drew the green silk through them. Dr. Eruhout reported the case to the Coroner yesterday after making out a death certificate, in which the cause of death Is recorded as convulsions aud septicaemia.