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impossible of performance. It would take up too much time to
deal exhaustively with the subject, but I may further remark,
speaking now from my experience in this parish, that of the 20
or 25 uncertified deaths that occur annually, nearly all are
referred to the Coroner, and registration of death takes place
only after the Coroner's decision that inquisition is not
necessary. The inquiry by Coroners' officers no doubt is not
Satisfactory, and in many cases like those in which inquisition is
now held, it is probable that inquiry by an expert, such as a
Medical Officer of Health, would save the time of Coroners and
jurors, and some expense to the rates—if his decision that there
was no necessity for inquest were accepted. In this case the Medical
Officer would practically become "Coroner's Officer," as the St.
James's Vestry propose. If suitably remunerated for his task,
he might reasonably be authorised to inquire, in the first instance,
into the cause of all uncertified deaths; and to certify in
proper cases, referring all such as were due to actual or
suspected violence to the Coroner. Any such change would
require legislation to give it effect, but it may be doubted
whether the legislature would entrust, to any individual, powers
of such an exceptional nature. In the case of deaths
not certified, but registered after report to the Coroner,
it cannot be doubted that inquiry and report by a Medical
Officer would be more satisfactory than that by a Coroner's
Officer, and could be obtained were provision made for payment
of a suitable fee. Presumably, the deaths "not certified" in
mountainous districts are not even referred to a Coroner. In
some of the manufacturing towns there is, I understand, much
"medical" practice by unregistered practitioners, upon whose
information, probably, many deaths are registered*; registration
being required by law, which medical certification is not; excepting
in the case of patients who have been duly attended in
their last illness by a registered practitioner. I am of opinion
that when death ensues in the case of persons attended by
*The percentage of uncertified deaths last year, to total deaths, was 5.0 in
Liverpool, 5.4 in Oldham, 5.9 in Sheffield, and 7.0 in Halifax.