View report page

45
Inquests.—During the year 43 Inquests were held on
the bodies of 43 persons, viz.:—26 males and 17 females,
being an increase on the previous year of 15. The verdicts
returned were as follows:—
From Accidental Causes 16
„ Natural „ 21
Suicides 4
Manslaughter l
Found Dead 1
Of the accidental causes, 6 were caused by Asphyxia—
infants suffocated under the bed clothes; 3 by burning;
3 were killed by locomotives on the railways; 2 from falls;
1 by the swamping of a boat, and 1 from Tetanus, following
an injury to the thumb. Those dying from Natural causes
were principally from Apoplexy, Heart Disease and Fits.
The suicides were those of 2 males, 1 female by
hanging, and 1 female by drowning, all mentally deranged.
It is lamentable to have to record the deaths of 6
Infants suffocated in bed. Mothers cannot be too careful
in suckling their babes when retiring for the night, they
fall asleep with the infant at the breast, by a slight movement,
overlying takes place, and on waking they find
suffocation has occurred; they should not sleep in the same
bed.
Disease and Mortality amongst the Union Poor.—
The number of cases which came under treatment were
287; 138 being males, and 149 females; were sent into
the Infirmary, 12 to Lunatic Asylums, and 39 to Hospitals
provided for Epidemic Diseases, these latter being chiefly
from Small Pox. On reference to Table V. Appendix, will
be found the nature of the various diseases. It will be
seen that there is a considerable increase in the number
of Small Pox Cases compared with the previous year. A
decrease in Diarrhoea, Measles, Scarlet Fever, &c. From
Lung Diseases there were 52 cases; Violence 15, and
other diseases 158, being principally from Rheumatism,
Dropsy, Debility, &c.