Peter J. Fynaut

• Death Notes
  • inches in nipple line not sensitive, abdomen not distended and not sensitive, rectum normal. Claimant's palms are calloused, showing signs of toil.
    
    They also stated that he claimed to have attacks of chills lasting from three to five days, each chill lasting from three to four hours, followed by fever. Rate, ten-eighteenths. No other disability.
    
    The certificate of death filed June 15, 1911, by the registrar of vital statistics showed only date and place of death as June 30, 1910, Lyons, N. Y. The record disclosed by the registrar on special examination showed:
    
    Direct cause of death, pneumonia.
    
    Duration of disease following operation for appendicitis, 28 days.
    
    Death reported by Mrs. Mary Fynaut, Phelps, N. Y.
    
    Death certified by Dr. T. A. Kllllps. * * *
    
    Date of record, July 2, 1910.
    
    In an affidavit made May 20, 1911, Dr. T. A. Killips testified that he attended the soldier in his last illness and that the following is a full clinical history of the case, viz:
    
    Duration thereof, six weeks.
    
    Remote cause of death, malarial poisoning.
    
    Immediate cause of death, malarial poisoning.
    
    Date of death, June 30, 1910.
    
    There were no complications or contributory causes.
    
    That witness stated in a deposition taken December 28, 1911, that he was called to treat the soldier for an attack of chills and fever and intero colitis about a month before his last sickness; that an interval followed in which he was fairly well, but not in good health; along in May he was called and found soldier in bed with chills and fever, bowels constipated, which condition continued for a couple of weeks, when appendicitis appeared; that he operated on him June 1, 1910, with Dr. Dean, and removed the appendix, which was not as bad as he had expected to find it, there being no pus; that the wound healed in good shape and a quick recovery seemed probable; but in nine days after the operation chills came on again followed by perspiration and temperature of 103 degrees, the chills being irregular; that the chills were severe and bowels alternated between diarrhea and constipation: that toward the last there was severe portal congestion, and he had a severe chill just a little while before he died; that he concluded the whole trouble was a case of malarial poisoning— he had malarial cachexia—there were no complications, no typhoid symptoms, lungs sound, heart all right, kidneys all right; that witness was present at death; he was conscious and rational almost to the last, died easily, no convulsions or struggle; that there was no further trouble after the operation.
    
    Other witnesses testified to a second operation, and Dr. Killips testified again on January 19, 1912. He said the second operation was for a superficial abscess on the left side, which was 10 or 12 days after first operation; that there was no profuse discharge—was like a little boil; that there was a similar one on right side, a little formation of pus where sutures had been put in. He then also said there had been passive or hyperstatic pneumonia or congestion, which affected only a small portion at base of the left lung—a condition, he saidr quite apt to come on in any case where the patient is in a weakened condition; that it was not a septic condition; that pneumonia was not an important factor in causing the death.
    
    William I. Dean, M. D., testified that he assisted Dr. Killips in the operation and may have seen the patient once afterwards. His recollection was that the operation was performed after an acute attack, not at time of attack: that there was nothing about the case out of the ordinary and nothing to suggest fatal termination; that "the patient was a big, strapping fellow, and I did not know of his having any chronic ailment."
    
    Thomas Jameson, M. D., testified that he was called in consultation in last sickness; that the patient had been operated on for appendicitis and several days later had been seized with chills and fever, a malarial trouble as he diagnosed the case; that finally pneumonia developed, which, he thinks, was the immediate cause of death, but that it was undoubtedly a result of malarial poisoning; that he did not think the appendicitis was a prominent factor in the death cause.
    
    Dr. William A. Howe testified that he had treated the soldier for several attacks of appendicitis but that the first one came on so long after service that he did not connect it with service; that he had also treated him for chills and fever; that he was called into consultation on June 7, 1910. the only time he saw the patient in last illness: that he had been operated on some days before and was then very sick; thinks he had a chill the day he saw him: that—
    
    The one point that stood out was that it was nn operative case of npjiendi- eitis that was not doing well mid I did not think would recover. What may have been in the case, aside from the appendicitis, I don't know, except for the fact that ho had chronic malarial poisoning. There could be a clinical relation between the malarial poisoning and appendicitis through the fact that his bowels were very often constipated and most of my treatment of him was calomel, salts, and quinine. I had not henrd of a second incision having been made. From the statement made to me by the examiner I would suspect peritonitis and either septic or hyperstatic pneumonia. I have thought of the ease a good deal during tlie time since claimant spoke to me. I at first was not disposed to think malaria was much of a factor, but on further consideration believe it was a very prominent factor.
    
    The soldier was a fireman on a railroad. The widow, vrho was married to him February 12. 1907, is now 28 years of age. She states that she owns no real estate or personal property, and that her income, derived from her daily labor, is about $150 a year.
    
    Two witnesses corroborate her statement.
    
    Upon the evidence, summarized above, your committee think the soldier's death is shown to have resulted from his military service, and they respectfully recommend the allowance of pension at the rate of $12 per month.