An unusual story was told to the Northampton Coroner (Mr. A. J. Darnell) at an inquest at Northampton on Mrs. Emily Augusta Curtis, aged 76, of 55, Midland Road, Rushden.

Her daughter Mrs. Gladys Maud York, 93 High Street, Irchester, said about a fortnight before Christmas her mother paid her a visit and complained of pains in her wedding ring finger, on which she wore two rings. The finger was swollen and irritating.

It got no better and she went to a doctor, who said he could not attend her properly until the rings had been removed. This was done at a jeweller’s and the doctor then diagnosed dermatitis.

She continued to attend the doctor, but the swellings spread to her hand and face and on Jan. 12th she was taken to the Northampton Hospital, where she passed away at 7.30 p.m. on January 20th.

Dr. Margaret Amy Lakeham, house physician at Northampton Hospital, said when first admitted Mrs. Curtis was stated to have had superficial infection of the hand, which had spread.

Her hand, arm and face were swollen, and there was a rash on the face similar to erysipelas. Her condition gradually became worse. The cause of death was toxic purpura.

The witness said that the infection might have come from one of the rings, which if it tore the skin slightly, might let in the organisms that were found there.

The verdict was one of misadventure.