THE INQUEST.

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 65, 8 November 1888, Page 3

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning on the body of the late James Midgiey Higetm (a native of Burnly, Yorkshire), before Mr Snelson, coroner. The following jurymen were sworn : — W. Carthew (foreman), W. G. Haybittle, H. Rutherford, J. Taylor, J. Pollock, J. ii. Oobbe. Maria Hope Higgin, wife of deceased, deposed : Her husband went to bed in his usual health on the evening, that is aa usual for a long time — very bad ; the time was about 8 p.m. ; he had been poorly for years ; he suffered from headache, arising from natural causes and accidents he had met with ; about 30 years ago he had an accident from machinery, which cut him over the eye, and another, 19 yeara ago, at Ballarat, where he was struck by a heavy stone on the head; for the last week or ten days he had been coming home from business earlier than usual ; he complained he did not feel so well the last evening he came home ; he went to bed, and came out of his room about ton o'clock ; he had eaten a remarkably heavy tea, and witness remarked to deceased he was eatmg too fast; when he came out he took a little home made beer, because he said he felt restless ; took no notice of j this, because he had been so often like that before ; witness went to the bedroom, and sat by deceased, he being rest- | less until about 3 a.m. ; he complained about how he had been suffering ; he was breathing heavily and 6noring, but he was m the habit of doing that ; there wns nothing out of the common ; witness then went to bed ; asked deceased if he would like a doctor, but he, as usual, declined, as he did not care to haye outside assistance when indisposed ; about 5 o'clock he was still sleeping, but, as deceased was rather longer than usual in this state, sent her son for Dr Monckton, as she noticed he was getting weaker than usual though she was not really alarmed ; had been more alarmed at other times ; when the boy was away her husband got quieter ; the Doctor applied remedies ;he said he thought another medical man should be called in as the case was serious; sent for Dr Johnston, and Di Monckton wont to meet him on the way ; when Dr Johnston arnyed he thoughl life had gone ; this was about 8 o'clock ie the morning; her husband was m th« custom of taking a good deal of methcim in a simplo form ; some times he woulc take a little medicine in the shop to alleviate pain ; he took nothing the day before he died. F. A. Monckton, medical practitioner residing m Feilding, deposed : Yesterdaj morning, about 6.45, was called in to se< deceased ; found him insensible, the pupils of his eyes very much dilated; h< was neither suffering from opiates noi drink ; he gave witness the impressioi deooased was suffering^ from effusion a the base of the brain, which witness endeavored to relieve by applying mustard; warned Mrs Higgin he considered hei husband to be in imminent danger, am recommended her to lose no time if eh< wanted any other opinion ; in accordanci with her wish asked Dr Johnston to set deceased, and when they returned hi was dead ; the cause of death was eff v sion at the base of the brain ; thore wa no stertorous breathing as obtains n ordinary apoplexy, The jury found a verdict of died fron natural causes. '