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MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
264
do not at this moment, know, there was a blow on the head, or a con. evidence that he destroyed himself with that tused wound on the chin. The Coroner’s- Couft is justly considered instrument; and I imagine, Sir, that in cases of such importance, where demonstrative one of very great importance, but it will evidence can be obtained, those who are con- cease to be an awful tribunal, even to the tented with presumptive evidence only, are guilty, when such investigations are alloed to bo dignified by the name of Coroner’. highly culpable. The surgeon- was censured in the one case for not performing Inquests." Such proceedings are fraught a post-mortem examination, and it appears with dangerous consequences, inasmuch as that the coroner equally deserves it in every practitioner who can afford ittimeis not in endeavouring to restore suspended other. without I beg to apologise for taking up so much a,4d many, of your time by this long description, but I consequently, will refuse to go when called have thought it’aduty to inform you of the upon in cases of drowning, hanging, &c., circumstance, and shall be happy to adopt not but that the well-known humauity of any course which you may suggest on the medical men will ever incite to ex-er’lioR occasion. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, even those whose pecuniary position will ’ not justify their following the dictates of THOMAS DYER, and the fact of the pistol being found in his
hand, would afford nothing but presumptive
and did’not, that
severely
the
’
’
animation,
Upper Norton-street,
Portland-place,
’
rec.orapense,
their hearts.
Surgeon. Surgeon.
I the
Nov. 3,1836.
hope that ere long it will be rendered imperative duty of the coroner to suin,
the medical attendant in every case. I am aware that there are many instances wherein the circumstances attending the WITH DEFICIENT EVIDENCF. are too palpable to render medical’ evidence requisite; but that would. bea To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR :—That every medical man ought to, lesser evil than allowing examinations to be and does, express feelings of gratitude to- conducted after the fashion of this case, wards you for your exertions in procuring Perhaps, Sir, if you can find room in yourthe enactment of the Medical Witnesses valuable periodical for this you will be kindBill is pretty clear; but it appears that we enough to answer two questions.Our coroner, Mr. Hind, being in thehabil, have another difficulty to contend with, of as coroner,, nearly as great a magnitude as the one just of sending his son to should I be justified in accepting his conquered. order ? Last Monday I was called to a case of sudden death; on arrivalI saw blood on the Having an order for evidence only, and stairs, and finger-marks of blood on the (Qy. then another order afterwards given for a post-mortem examination, should MS.) On entering the bed-room I found Mrs. Miller (the wife of a boatswain) lying on iI having two orders) be entitled to receive the floor, her head being in a pool of blood ;three or only two guineas ? I have thehonour be, Sir, your obedient servant, there was a inark of a blow on the right sidei J. R. HANCORN, Surgeon, &c. of the head, and a contused wound on the ! chin ; half an hour prior to this she was in i Sheerness, Nov. 2, 1836. (See page 280.—Ev, L.) her usual state of health ; the the and coroner arrived on summoned, day to pass judgment, but upon MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. following what evidence did they arrive at the To the Editor.—SIR:Imade the follow. verdict of " Died by the visitation of God ?" ing extract a few months since, from the It appears that when Mrs. M. died there " Appendix to the Report of the Medical was no person in the house excepting her Education Committee." I think, perhaps landlady and child, and it was upon the its republication in your far-spreading jourevidence of these two persons that the ver- nal would, in a slight degree, serve to dedict was returned. Here, then, is decidedly monstrate the " quality an ex parte investigation, as neither the pensed" at some of our principal medical opinion of the neighbour who first arrived, sohools. There were examined in three nor my opinion, was deemed to be necessary. from On a juryman’s request that the medical attendant should be sent for, the proposal was overruled on the score of its " occupying too much time." I do not mean to insinuate that there was any foul play ; on thecontrary, I am convinced that such was not the case; but suppose-murder had been perpetrated in this instance, it is not very probable that ! You can verify this by reference to the the two parties before alluded to would! report. I am, Sir, your obedient servant. ciminate themselves. Again, the ’, London, Oct. 1836.F. T. F. mon
CORONER’S INQUEST
death
preside
son’s ,
making
to
’
jury was
the
of the knowledge dig-
years
jurymenf
-
,
do not at this moment, know, there was a blow on the head, or a con. evidence that he destroyed himself with that tused wound on the chin. The Coroner’s- Couft is justly considered instrument; and I imagine, Sir, that in cases of such importance, where demonstrative one of very great importance, but it will evidence can be obtained, those who are con- cease to be an awful tribunal, even to the tented with presumptive evidence only, are guilty, when such investigations are alloed to bo dignified by the name of Coroner’. highly culpable. The surgeon- was censured in the one case for not performing Inquests." Such proceedings are fraught a post-mortem examination, and it appears with dangerous consequences, inasmuch as that the coroner equally deserves it in every practitioner who can afford ittimeis not in endeavouring to restore suspended other. without I beg to apologise for taking up so much a,4d many, of your time by this long description, but I consequently, will refuse to go when called have thought it’aduty to inform you of the upon in cases of drowning, hanging, &c., circumstance, and shall be happy to adopt not but that the well-known humauity of any course which you may suggest on the medical men will ever incite to ex-er’lioR occasion. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, even those whose pecuniary position will ’ not justify their following the dictates of THOMAS DYER, and the fact of the pistol being found in his
hand, would afford nothing but presumptive
and did’not, that
severely
the
’
’
animation,
Upper Norton-street,
Portland-place,
’
rec.orapense,
their hearts.
Surgeon. Surgeon.
I the
Nov. 3,1836.
hope that ere long it will be rendered imperative duty of the coroner to suin,
the medical attendant in every case. I am aware that there are many instances wherein the circumstances attending the WITH DEFICIENT EVIDENCF. are too palpable to render medical’ evidence requisite; but that would. bea To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR :—That every medical man ought to, lesser evil than allowing examinations to be and does, express feelings of gratitude to- conducted after the fashion of this case, wards you for your exertions in procuring Perhaps, Sir, if you can find room in yourthe enactment of the Medical Witnesses valuable periodical for this you will be kindBill is pretty clear; but it appears that we enough to answer two questions.Our coroner, Mr. Hind, being in thehabil, have another difficulty to contend with, of as coroner,, nearly as great a magnitude as the one just of sending his son to should I be justified in accepting his conquered. order ? Last Monday I was called to a case of sudden death; on arrivalI saw blood on the Having an order for evidence only, and stairs, and finger-marks of blood on the (Qy. then another order afterwards given for a post-mortem examination, should MS.) On entering the bed-room I found Mrs. Miller (the wife of a boatswain) lying on iI having two orders) be entitled to receive the floor, her head being in a pool of blood ;three or only two guineas ? I have thehonour be, Sir, your obedient servant, there was a inark of a blow on the right sidei J. R. HANCORN, Surgeon, &c. of the head, and a contused wound on the ! chin ; half an hour prior to this she was in i Sheerness, Nov. 2, 1836. (See page 280.—Ev, L.) her usual state of health ; the the and coroner arrived on summoned, day to pass judgment, but upon MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. following what evidence did they arrive at the To the Editor.—SIR:Imade the follow. verdict of " Died by the visitation of God ?" ing extract a few months since, from the It appears that when Mrs. M. died there " Appendix to the Report of the Medical was no person in the house excepting her Education Committee." I think, perhaps landlady and child, and it was upon the its republication in your far-spreading jourevidence of these two persons that the ver- nal would, in a slight degree, serve to dedict was returned. Here, then, is decidedly monstrate the " quality an ex parte investigation, as neither the pensed" at some of our principal medical opinion of the neighbour who first arrived, sohools. There were examined in three nor my opinion, was deemed to be necessary. from On a juryman’s request that the medical attendant should be sent for, the proposal was overruled on the score of its " occupying too much time." I do not mean to insinuate that there was any foul play ; on thecontrary, I am convinced that such was not the case; but suppose-murder had been perpetrated in this instance, it is not very probable that ! You can verify this by reference to the the two parties before alluded to would! report. I am, Sir, your obedient servant. ciminate themselves. Again, the ’, London, Oct. 1836.F. T. F. mon
CORONER’S INQUEST
death
preside
son’s ,
making
to
’
jury was
the
of the knowledge dig-
years
jurymenf
-
,