Real Broken Hearts.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 December 1914, Page 4

Real Broken Hearts.

An inquest was recently held on the body of a woman at Hackney, and the doctor who made 1/he postmortem examirmi ion discovert*! that tlu' woman had a broken heart. This, ho said, was tho most remarkable instance which had come under his notice, and he had in his time performed about 800 postmortems. The late Sir George Pa^et, in one of his hx-l tires which were published some years ago under Ihe editorship of his son, stated' thai, in most cases where death is attributed to "broken heart" no rupture of that, organ has actually ta'-en place, although undoubtedly mental troubles (Jo frequently cause disease of the body. He mentioned an actual case of broken heart which was cited by Dr. .1. K. .Mitchell, of the Jefferson College, Philadelphia. In an early period of his career, Dr. Mitchell acted as ship's doctor to a vessel sailing from Liverpool to one of the American ports. He became on very good terms with the captain, who was eagerly anticipating the return voyage because then he was to be married to the lady of his choice. He had brought, many costly jewels to present to the lady as bridal gifts. So often did the captain discourse upon the lady and admire her charms that Dr. Mitchell became wearied, and avoided him whenever he could. When the ship landed, however, the bridegroom-to-be was informed that his sweetheart had proved faithless and married someone else. On learning the news he clasped his hand to his breast and fell heavily to the ground ; he was carried to his cabin, but before Dr. Mitchell could arrive he died. A post-