View report page

2
of these deaths were those of infants, in many instances
only a few hours old, the mothers having been attended
in their confinements by midwives; in every instance
the death was returned by the attendant accoucheuse
as from convulsions. As the deaths are recorded in
the official register as from this cause, I have classified
them accordingly, but I have very considerable doubt
as to the accuracy of the certificate, and should be
more inclined to consider that, in most instances, the
cause of death was non-expansion of the lungs, resulting
either from debility or prolonged labour.
Particulars of the other seven cases were laid before
the Coroner, who, however, was of opinion that the
circumstances of the deaths were not such as to call
for special enquiry; they were, therefore, registered
without medical certificate or inquest, and upon such
information as could be obtained from the friends and
relations of the deceased, they were respectively entered
upon the register as from Natural Decay accelerated by
want of proper nourishment—Convulsions (2 J—Internal
Tumour and Exhaustion—" Marasmus (doctor refused
to certify),"—Pulmonary Congestion (same remark) —
Old Age—and Asthma.
In declining to hold inquests in these oases, the
Coroner was acting strictly within his powers, as the
fact of no medical certificate being forthcoming does
not necessitate an inquest, though it is usual for the
registrar to take the Coroner's opinion before registering
such deaths.