View report page

48
UNCERTIFIED DEATHS.
Thirteen deaths were registered without the certificate
of a qualified medical practitioner.
Eight of the deceased persons had been attended
during life by the unqualified assistant of a medical
practitioner in Bethnal Green, who had incautiously
engaged this person on a false statement that he was
" Surgeon-Major Harrison," and had been engaged by
the War Office to examine recruits. It subsequently
transpired that " Dr. Harrison " had assumed the name
of a registered practitioner who was abroad; his real
name was John Cubbin, and he must have had some
medical education, for he gave evidence at inquests,
signed death certificates, etc., and, I am told, was much
liked by the people he attended. The Coroner's
suspicions were aroused, however, and he communicated
with the authorities. Subsequently Cubbin was prosecuted
on the initiative of the Medical Defence Union,
and on conviction was sentenced to three years' penal
servitude.
The particulars of the remaining cases were submitted
to the Coroner, and as he did not consider an
inquest necessary the deaths were registered upon such
information as could be obtained.
INQUESTS.
The total number of inquests held during the year
was 263. Twelve persons committed suicide and 74
others died violent or sudden deaths.