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Fields, and 2 in the Aldgate Sub-district. Among these, are recorded the deaths
of two children, one aged 12 days, and the other 16 days, both said to be caused by
debility from birth. Another case is that of a woman, aged 51, which is registered
as "diarrhoea.' Four cases were registered as "convulsions," one as " thrush," one as
"decay," one as "broke a blood vessel," (male, aged 55) one as "consumption," the
others, as "diarrhoea." All these cases are registered in the table of deaths under their
respective headings. In order, however, to prevent crime, and insure the greatest
possible accuracy of the causes of death, when uncertified by a legally qualified
medical practitioner, the strictest enquiry at the house of the diseased should be instituted
by the local registrars, and, if any suspicion be raised in his mind, as to the
cause of death, an inquest should be held, and a post-mortem examination made.
Amongst the deaths, is recorded that of a female, aged 47, as caused "from
the effects of a severe blow received in a scuffle six weeks ago, haemoptysis." In this
case no inquest was held, neither was any post-mortem examination instituted.
Among the "unspecified" causes of death, are those of "Found Dead," "Natural
Death," except where the cause is given, " Inanition," a term so vague, (meaning
emptiness), that it may imply death from wilful starvation, or it may be the result of
disease, "Diseased Face," a female aged 14, in the London Hospital. Dyspnoea is
recorded as the cause of the death of a patient in the London Hospital. This is a
mere symptom of disease, the meaning of which is simply difficulty of breathing.
Of the 47 inquests above alluded to, are 9 cases returned as "found dead," and
7 as " natural death," but in no instance does it appear that a post-mortem examination
took place. One of these cases is thus registered, " found dead in bed, a single
woman, in no business, aged 26." In three others, the verdict was "found dead in
the River Thames, without marks." In another, that of a young woman, aged 22,
the verdict was "found dead in the River Thames, with an incised wound in the
throat, not sufficient to account for death." In another case, the verdict was " died
from effusion on the brain, how caused unknown." In another, " natural death from
consumption, accelerated by destitution."
If it be really necessary to hold inquests in all such cases as above recorded, it
is surely advisable that the body should be submitted to a post-mortem, examination;
for the information which is afforded to the pnblic by the judicial enquiry of the
coroner's jury, without such examination, is absolutely nil, and tends, in a limited
degree only, to prevent crime.
Among the cases on which inquests were held, I 'think it necessary to draw
your attention to the following :—1st. A case of burn, through the clothes catching
fire, (male, aged 4). 2nd. The death of a male, aged 42, from the fall of shears
imperfectly secured. 3rd. The three cases of death from the noxious and mephitic
vapour from the sewer in the Whitechapel Road. And 4th. The case of accidental
death from a fall from an open window in the Sailors' Home.
The deaths of children, from their clothes catching fire, are of frequent occurrence
in this district, and I bring this case before your notice, with the view of