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took place above the age of 70, as follows, viz.; from 70
to 75, thirty-one; from 75 to 80, sixteen ; from 80 to 85,
twelve; from 85 to 90, seven ; and. two attained 91 years
of age.
Social Position.—Upwards of 71 per cent. of the
deaths from general disease, and upwards of 73 per cent.
of the deaths from Zymotic diseases, took place amongst
the labouring classes. These amounts are considerably
below the average, especially those relating to deaths from
Zymotic disease.
Inquests, Violent and Uncertified Deaths.— 32
inquests were held during the year. 12 deaths resulted
from violence, 9 of which were accidental and 3 suicidal.
No less than 13 deaths were registered as not certified by
medical testimony, and in two instances the cause of death
was not specified—in all of which, therefore, death may
have resulted from other than natural causes. A similar
registration of uncertified deaths will be found recorded
in every one of my annual reports since the year 1859;
and as an amendment of the law on this important subject
is still much needed, I venture to reproduce the substance
of some of the observations made in my previous reports.
As the essential function of the Coroner's Court is the
determination of the cause of death, the necessity for the
employment of medical testimony cannot be too strongly
insisted on. In the absence of such testimony, the cause
of death must be frequently assumed on mere conjecture;
hence it becomes apparent to what an extent the
Registrar General's Returns, upon which are based the
Tables of Life Insurance, &c., are vitiated, as well as, and
more importantly, to what extent the means of protecting
society against secret crime, are defective. In every
interest of society the cause of death should be a fact as
far as human knowledge can make it so. In the present
state of the law, the employment of medical evidence in
such cases rests with the discretion of the Coroner, who,
as a rule, does not employ such evidence except where
suspicion of crime has arisen. The presence or absence of
suspicion, however, ought not to be accepted as the