A COMMON garden accident led to the death of a woman through tetanus, an inquest has heard.
Margaret Elliott, 78, of Kendalls Close, High Wycombe died on Monday, January 10 in Wycombe Hospital after a six week battle with the disease.
The inquest at Amersham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday heard that Mrs Elliott had suffered two cuts to her left knee after a fall in her garden on Thursday, November 25.
Over the next few days Mrs Elliott experienced breathing and swallowing difficulties, and was admitted to hospital on Monday, November 29.
Dr John Wilson, Mrs Elliott's GP, told the inquest he had seen her after the accident, but had not administered a tetanus vaccination because she showed no symptoms. He said: "Tetanus is very rare in this type of injury."
Dr Wilson also said he did not believe Mrs Elliott had ever had a tetanus jab.
Dr David Waghorn, a microbiologist consultant at Wycombe Hospital, told the inquest that tetanus is a bacterial disease that attaches itself to the nerve endings, causing muscle spasms and organ failure.
The pathologist's report indicated Mrs Elliott had died of multiple organ failure caused by tetanus.
Verdict: accidental death.
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