INQUEST ON THE LATE DR. MACADAM.

Evening Post, Issue 188, 14 September 1865, Page 3

INQUEST ON THE LATE DR. MACADAM.

The Daily Times, of the 6th instant, gives the following report : — An inquest into the circumstances of the death of the Hon. John Macadam, M.D., was held yesterday by the district coroner (Mr. T. M. Hocken), at the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers. The only witnesses examined were Captain M'Lean, of the steamship Alhambra, and Mr. Kirkland, assistant to Dr. Macadam. Captain M'Lean said— The deceased, Dr. Macadam, was a passenger with me during the last trip of the Alhambra from Melbourne to Port Chalmers. He came on board about four o'clock on the afternoon of the 29th ult. He appeared at the time to be in his usual health— perhaps a little more, delicate than I have seen him, but quite able, I considered, to undertake the voyage. On the day after departure he told me that he had lately undergone some very severe work, in company with his students, in making various experiments, and had not felt very well afterwards, but hoped to he so before he completed the passage. On the following day when he came on deck, I observed a considerable change upon him. The day was very cold and boisterous, and as he was cold and trembling, and complaining also of sickness, I advised him to go below. He appeared weak, 'and asked me if I knew of sea-sickness producing in so short a time any weakness of the Jlegs. Along with Mr. Kirkland I saw him several times afterwards on the same day, up to midnight. He was then perspiring freely and seemed to he getting better. On Friday morning, I saw him again. He extended his arm and said, "Feel my pulse. No one can object to that pulse, I nm ten degrees better than yesterday' and the trembling has gone off." On the same night he gave me his watch, which he requested me to deliver to Mrs. Macadam. He gave me also his diamond ring, and described some property which he had in his possession on board. Next morning I was sent for at six o'clock by Mr. Kirkland, and I found Dr. Macadam apparently dead — his extremities stiff and cold, but his body still warm. He was put into a bath of hot water, but it failed to revive him. He suffered from sea* sickness from the time of sailing, but without retching, and was much depressed by it physically. J. D. Kirkland, assistant to deceased, was examined and stated, Dr. Macadam's health was apparently improved at the time of sailing, and he appeared capable of undertaking the voyage. His opinion was the doctor died from general exhaustion. The jury returned the verdict, " Died by the visitatien of God."