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35
Inquests, Violent and Sudden Deaths, &c.— In 46
instances the cause of death was investigated by the
Coroner, and with the following results—
Found dead, newly born, cause unknown 6
Infants—I suffocated in bed, 1 fracture of skull.
Verdict-Wilful Murder 2
Burns 2
Run over in Street 1
Fractured Ribs. Verdict—Manslaughter 1
Accidents—1 fall, 1 choked 2
Killed on Railways (2 Suicides) 8
Drowned (1 Suicide) 6
Natural deaths from disease 16
1 Shooting, 1 Hanging (both Suicides) 2
46
One verdict of Wilful Murder, 1 of Manslaughter, and 5
of Suicide, were returned, and the rest were accidental or
the result of disease.
The very large number of deaths "not certified" during
the year, viz. 97, and yet registered upon the information
afforded by friends, tends to show that our system
of death registration is too lax. No death where a qualified
medical practitioner has not been in prior attendance,
should be registered without the cause being investigated
by the Coroner or some of the Local Medical Staff. This
is the more necessary, as almost the whole of these uncertified
deaths were infants of tender years, and therefore
especially in need of protection against neglect and improper
treatment.
C 2