Trooper H. Smith NMP Suicide, 27th February, Helpmakaar.

Does anyone have any information on Trooper Smith's suicide.

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As an aside Pete , at the Cemetery Trp Nagle(s) is recorded as Nagle , for those who are unaware Trpr Hayes was an Isandlwana Survivor , Trpr H Smith in your report is recorded as Trpr Herbert .S.Smythe on his Headstone at Helpmekaar Cemetery , recorded as Smith in Sole's ' For God , Queen and Colony , listed as Smith(e) in Dutton ! , couldn't find anything in The Mtd Police Of Natal by Holt in regard to Smythe's ; Smith's ; Smithe's Suicide .
90th .

Pete found this in Sole's ' For God , Queen and Colony ' . Herbert.S.Smith Committed suicide through temporary Insanity at Helpmekaar on 27/2/79 , Attested 17/3/74 Age 21 . It appeared that he had suffered from enteric fever for some days but hospital tents were full , there was no room for him . Shot himself with a revolver . This was the first death at camp . Next of Kin , mother ; Mrs M.E.Ford , Rushton House , Southampton .
90th

Thanks mate, that will do nicely.

Pete Ive e mailed you a photo of his grave.

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Photo by Frank Allewell.

"What are the symptoms of Enteric fever also known as typhoid.
Salmonella typhi has an incubation period of almost 14 days. That means the symptoms of typhoid fever will show up in a fortnight of ingesting polluted foods or fluids.
Here are some common symptoms of typhoid fever:
• High fever that can reach 104 Fahrenheit
• Splitting headache
• Ache all over the body
• Feeling restless when the person goes to bed and this might interfere with sleep
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Coughing
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• General malaise
• Nosebleeds
• Pain in the abdomen
• Blood in the stool
If you experience most of these symptoms do not dally. If you wait too long, the bacteria will cause perforation of the bowels and this will lead to peritonitis. Peritonitis can be lethal.
What are the stages of typhoid fever?
There are four distinctive stages of enteric fever and each lasts up to a week.

The first stage
In this stage, you will experience only some of the symptoms of typhoid fever such as dry cough, indolence or headache. Fever may or may not occur. Even if it does, your body temperature will not be much higher than the normal.

The second stage
During this stage, fever runs high and the stomach becomes distended. Weight loss is another significant sign of stage 2 typhoid fever. Hallucinations or fever dreams are common. The person might feel lethargic and agitated in alternation.

The third stage
This is the stage when things get really serious. Severe intestinal perforation will cause abdominal haemorrhage. Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain may set in. The person may become dehydrated which increases the intensity of the delirium. The person will not be able to sit up let alone stand or walk.

The fourth stage
This stage is characterized by extremely high fever. This stage also brings on several other health complications
Dangers associated with advanced typhoid fever:
• Infections
• Kidney failure
• Pneumonia
• Inflammation of the pancreas’
• Inflammation of the heart
• Meningitis"

Death Notice
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Image by Brian Norris