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130
Nevertheless, considerable advantage would follow
from the adoption of a modification of the proposal.
If it be conceded that the investigation would be
most satisfactorily made by a medical man, there would
clearly be no need to create a new appointment, since
the Medical Officer of Health is immediately concerned
in all that relates to the deaths and the death-rates of
the district, and is the fittest person to undertake the
duty.
It is not, however, suggested that he should supersede
the Coroner's officer, but that his action should be
limited to an enquiry into every death occurring
without medical attendance in his district, with the
view of ascertaining the cause, and of recording it
as correctly as is practicable in the present state of
medical science.
If this modified proposal were adopted it would
naturally follow that the duty of conducting such postmortem
examinations as might be necessary in cases of
uncertified deaths would, subject to the authorization
of the Coroner, devolve upon the Medical Officer of
Health.
Such was the course advocated by the late Dr. Farr,
who says that the Medical Officer should be specially
qualified to conduct post-mortem examinations, and
on being summoned might appear as the medical
witness at the inquest. By practice he would acquire