June 1, 1936: Illegal Abortion Death in Vermont

According to a Vermont death record, 25-year-old shoemaker Thelma Bourdeau died at Rockingham Hospital in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Her principal cause of death was listed at tetanus, with contributory causes "history of an illegal operation and an abortion." This would indicate that Thelma had likely contracted tetanus through a dirty abortion instrument.

I can't find any news coverage of the death.

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Sources:

• Vermont death record
• "Funeral of Miss Thelma Bourdeau," Burlington (VT) Free Press, June 4, 1936