Non-fatal Accident

James Curry

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Lumley. James Curry, 21, pony putter.

Curry contracted a beat elbow on 26th April, 1922. He obtained a certificate from the certifying surgeon on 28th April, 1922, and was paid full compensation until 29th June, 1923, when compensation was stopped on a report by Dr. Bolam. Curry contended he was disabled from work as a result of the heat elbow, the blood poisoning having extended to other parts of his body.

The case was before the Committee on 12th September; when the following joint report, obtained from Dr. Wells Patterson who examined Curry on 6th September, was submitted :—

"I have to report that I examined the above on September 6th, 1923. He states that he laid off work with a "beat elbow" on April 26th, 1922, and has only worked five days since then (in January, 1923). The injury to the left elbow was followed by a septic inflammation of the arm with swelling of the glands in the left axilla. The arm was bad for three or four months ; the legs became affected in June of last year. Curry has had no previous illnesses or any previous trouble with the skin.

ON EXAMINATION I found on the ulnar border of the posterior surface of the left fore-arm a crown sized, circular, slightly depressed scar. The rest of the skin of both arms as well as the trunk and thighs was healthy. The skin of the outer aspect of the right leg showed several large superficial pigmented scars and numerous small pigmented areas which were also present on the left leg.

OPINION. — The present condition is the final stage of what must have been a severe septic infection of the skin, secondary to and consequent on the septic dermatitis following the injury to the left fore-arm. Such cases of a more or less generalised septic infection of the skin following a localised sepsis are not uncommon."

The Committee on the above report restored Curry to full compensation, but payment was again stopped on 6th October on a report by Dr. Bolam who reported that Curry was recovered and able to resume work.

Curry alleged he was unable to work and asked for full compensation.

Adjourned for a joint report to be obtained from Dr. Wells-Patterson.

Source: Documents at the Durham Miners' Association, Redhills, Durham

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Lumley. James Curry, 21, pony-putter.

Curry contracted a beat elbow on 26th April, 1922. He obtained a certificate from the certifying surgeon on 28th April, 1922, and was paid full compensation until 29th June 1923, when compensation was stopped on a report by Dr. Bolam. Curry contended he was disabled from work as a result of the heat elbow, the blood poisoning having extended to other parts of his body.

The case was before the Committee on 12th September, when the following joint report, obtained from Dr. Wells Patterson who examined Curry on 6th September was submitted :—

"I have to report that I examined the above on September 6th, 1923. He states that he laid off work with a ‘beat elbow’ on April 26th, 1922, and has only worked five days since then (in January, 1923). The injury to the left elbow was followed by a septic inflammation of the arm with swelling of the glands in the left axilla. The arm was bad for three or four months ; the legs became affected in June of last year. Curry has had no previous illnesses or any previous trouble with the skin.

ON EXAMINATION I found on the ulnar border of the posterior surface of the left fore-arm a crown sized, circular, slightly depressed scar. The rest of the skin of both arms as well as the trunk and thighs was healthy. The skin of the outer aspect of the right leg showed several large superficial pigmented scars and numerous small pigmented areas which were also present on the left leg.

OPINION. — The present condition is the final stage of what must have been a severe septic infection of the skin, secondary to and consequent on the septic dermatitis following the injury to the left fore-arm. Such cases of a more or less generalised septic infection of the skin following a localised sepsis are not uncommon."

The Committee on the above report restored Curry to full compensation, but payment was again stopped on 6th October on a report by Dr. Bolam, who reported that Curry was recovered and able to resume work.

The case was before the last meeting of the Committee when it was again referred to Dr. Wells Patterson, who reported on 13th November :—

"I have to report that I have to-day again examined the above man. His skin is now completely healed with the exception of the right great toe. Here the skin is sodden and inflamed with a septic infection of the nail bed and an in-growing toe nail.

His general condition is quite normal and there is nothing abnormal to be found in his urine.

OPINION.

1. At the present time this youth is unable to work.

2. The condition of the right toe is a further sequel to the septic infection of the skin described and reported under date 6/9/23."

Awarded full compensation.

Source: Documents at the Durham Miners' Association, Redhills, Durham

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