INQUEST.

Evening Star, Issue 3336, 29 October 1873, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Hospital at noon to-day, before Mr T. M. Hocken, District Coroner, on the body of Ann O’Connor, who died from miscarriage the previous day. The following evidence was given : James O’Connor : The deceased, who was my wife, was thirty-seven years of age at the time of her death ; was a native of King’s County, Ireland, and of Roman Catholic persuasion. Deceased expected to be confined last week ; and yesterday morning on getting up complained of labor pain«. She would not allow- me to send for a doctor, saying that she would tell me at the proper time, but as«ented to my going for Mrs Maskell, a neighbor. The labor was over in about an hour’s time (a little before six); but I did not see her till it was over. She then appeared to have recovered. I remained for another hour, and she said she felt quite well, and told me to go to my work, as I was late. I then left, and did not hear anything further till a messenger came for me at about nine o’clock, saying my wife w r as dying, and I had better hurry home. On getting home about a quarter of an hour later I found her dead. There was no sign of blood about, nor anything peculiar. Medical aid had been sent for prior to my arrival. She had been complaining for six months previous, being unable to keep anything on her chest. On Sunday the pains increased, and she said she expected to be confined. The Coroner informed Mrs Masked, who was ncxtcalled, that he had told the jury that he did not think there would be anything brought against her, but something might turn up. It was optional with her whether die gave evidence or not. Mrs Maskell declined giving evidence, adding that she bad not much to say.

Harriett Luckhurst; My husband is a carpenter. I live dose to the deceased. I was with deceased during her labor yesterday morning. I did not attend heir. Everything seemed favorable, and she did not conipfaiii in the least. The labor wopld have about an houc. About half-past seven o’clock deceased appeared to be faint, and complained about weakness and pains in the chest. She said she was sure she was d\ ing, and wanted her husband sent for. I sent my son for him. Her eyes booked glassy and she closed her teeth. She continued in that state about half-an-hour, after which I sent for medical assistance. She got worse and died.

Robert H. JBakeweli, M.D. : I was called to see deceased yesterday, and arrived at her house at about half-past nine. She was then quite dead. Dr Cowie was there at the time. There was no unusual appearance of too much bleeding. There was nothing to throw any light on the cause of her death. On making a post mortem examination to-day I found a large, pale, and f|abby heart in the chest. On opeiiipg tflp heart, I observed that the nu;sculqr‘ fjhresj were pale and very thin. 0$ examining the left side, I found it ip a state of petuaf inflammation. Ail the cavities of the heart were quite empty and much dilated. There was evidence of old bronchitis. The liver was much enlarged, and appeared to be marked by tight-lacing. The cause of death evidently seemed to be disease of the heart. No blame whatever is attached to Mrs Maakell, the woman who attended deceased in her confinement. To a juror : Had medical evidence been called in earlier it would have been of no avail. The Coroner : I think it will not be necessary to call any further evidence, after Dr Bakewmll’s. As I said before, it is as well to inquire into these cases, and in this case everything possible seems to have been done, and ihe most skilful a c sistancecoulduot have prevented deatii. A very frequent cause of these sudden deaths is the air running up the womb, and often occurs in the very symptoms as described by Mrs Luckhurst, I will prepare your verdict in acLordance with Dr flakeweH’s testimony, A verdict to the effect that deceased died from disease of the heart was returned.