CORONER'S INQUEST.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 199, 8 January 1866, Page 2

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Police Station, Eskstreet, on Saturday afternoon last, before Dr. Deck, Coroner, on the body of John Alfred Wild, who died very suddenly the previous day. The following ai-9 the names of the jury impannelled — Messrs. Kingsland (foreman), Cooper, Hay, Beaven, Ekensteen, Wright, Smith, Porter, Colyer, Wild, Goodwillie, M'lvor, Reese, and Hanna. The first witness examined was William Todd, who deposed — I am an auctioneer, residing in Invercargill. I have known the deceased for about eighteen months ; he has been lately residing in Spey-street. His habits appeared temperate until about the past Christmas, when I noticed a change, although he had not been working at the store some days. On Christmas day the place was closed, and as I was going out of town I asked deceased to keep tlie place for me, which he did, until my return on Tuesday. This was the last I saw of him until Thursday night, when I was called in to see him ; he was lying ill on a stretcher in the room. I asked him how he was ? He 6aid he felt a little better, and complained of his back, where he said he had had a mustard pl« ster, which was very painful. I stayed about half an hour in the place with him, and then left. He complained of suffering about the kidneys. Yesterday morning, when coming down Dee-street, about eight o'clook, I saw Mr. Ayton, and had a conversation with him concerning deceased. He told me that unless something was done speedily, Wild would either commit suicide or go into delirium tremens. We then arranged to get a party to attend him — a Mr. Windsor — for whom I at once went. When Windsor came down, Mr. Ayton and I went with him to deceased's place, leaving strict orders to let him have no drink, and let no one in. We then returned to Mr. Ayton's, who sent up a basket of supplies. The next time I went up was about half-past five p.m. yesterday, when I found deceased in bed. I asked Windsor how deceased had been. He said he was not able to control him, that he had gone outside on some pretext, and that he had been to a public-house in Esk-street. Windsor said he would not remain there any longer by himself. I then returned to Mr. Ayton's. We talked over the matter, and deemed it advisable to have deceased taken to the Gaol or Hospital, where restraint could be placed upon liim. Saw Mr. Commissioner Weldon passing, and called his attention to the circumstances ; he gave an order for Constable Wilson to arrest. I went to the deceased's house with the constable — he was lying on the stretcher as before. We lifted him out of the bed into the next room. Constable Wilson did not like his appearance, -and eaid va had better sond for a doctor at once. He (Wilson) then went for one. During the constable's absence, deceased was lying on his back upon a mattress, making a gurgling noise through his throat, as though the breath were coming through water. Deceased spoke to the effect that his end was nigh. Constable Wilson returned without a doctor. We then got a ladder and laid the mattress upon it, and with assistance carried deceased to the Police Station. Dr. Monckton arrived there shortly after — about ten minutes. Deceased was first taken into the watch-house, but on the doctor's arrival he ordered him to be walked up and down the yard, and gave orders that he should, if necessary, be whipped to make him walk, stating that if allowed to remain still for five minutes the man would die. During the treatment he died. I walked with one of the constables, supporting deceased for about a quarter of an hour. He seemed to revive a little and recognised Dr. Monckton, and said he did not think I would have taken him to the watch-house. After this he wanted to lie down. We then took him down to the green at the other end of the yard, and called Dr. Monckton's attention to bdm. — that he was gettiug weaker. The doctor then went for the stomach-pump, and found it broken, so that it would not work. He then felt deceased's pulse, and said nothing more could be done. The body was then taken inside. Deceased had been lashed with a riding whip, under the doctor's orders, to make him move, for perhaps a quarter of an horn-, and might have oeen struck some sixty times by different persons. At first, when whipped, deceased said, " It is no use to me." It was after the flagelation the stomach-pump was gone for. During the first quarter of an hour the deceased walked with support ; it was afterwards that he was whipped. I believe the doctor went to Mr. Clarke's, the chemist, for another stomach-pump. By a Juror. — I have heard deceased complain of an affection of the kidneys, which he attributed to a cold. I did not hear Dr. Monckton say anything about the stomach-pump at first. By the Coroner. — As far as I know, deceased had not been drinking lately. It was Mr. Windsor who spoke to me of deceased's going to Esk-street. I know nothing of his habits since Tuesday last. When I saw him, he might have been under the influence of drink; the last time he would not ! move. In ail my three visits I found the smell of | spirits. I may mention that we took a bottle of j gin from beneath his pillow on Friday. He recognised me last night — he said, " Good-bye, Todd ; you will see me no more after to-night — dead, dead." The gurgling noise then came on again. I have no doubt he knew he was dying. He seemed to revive when taken into the open air, but did not want to move. So long as he walked he was not flogged. Dr. Monckton said if he were not kept ■awake he would die. Deceased did not complain of the stripes inflicted. They were given on the fleshy parts. He said very little, except " It is of no use." John Windsor deposed that he knew the deceased. Messrs. Todd and Ayton had taken witness down to deceased's house the previous day, to look after him and try to keep him from drink. [We omit that portion of the witness' evidence, which is simply a repetition of that given by Mr. Todd.] During the afternoon, he wanted me to fetch him some brandy. I refused. He said he would go himself; I said he would not go out of the house. He got away before I could catch sight of him. When he came back he went into his bedroom, and I found he had obtained a sodawater bottleful of spirits. He drank some, and put the rest under his bed. I said I should tell Mr. Ayton. I went outside for a moment, and when I came • back he' had emptied the bottle. He then laid down on his back, making a terrible noise with his throat. This was about half-past 5 p.m. Mr. Todd came then. I told him it was no use my being there, and what deceased had done, and said I thought I should go home. Mr. Todd said, " Then I shall give him in charge at once, and he will be taken care of."

By a Juror. — I only saw deceased drink a sodawater bottleful of spirits. I was instructed to look after deceased to prevent his drinking, and was to have been paid. Ido not think I earned anything by what I did. By another Juror. — I did not perceive any sediment in the bottle. I think it was brandy he drank. I did run after deceased when he went to Esk-street, but only got him when he had obtained what he wanted. I do not know the place he went to. The Coroner.— You should have looked after him more carefully. The Witness (an elderly man). — He struck at me, and threatened to knock me down if I touched the bottle. A Mrs. Hare was the only person who came in the morning, but she brought no spirits. Frances Hare gave evidence to the effect that deceased — who lived in the next cottage to where she resided — had been drinking heavily of late., and that, as he appeared to be suffering severely from its effects, she had repeatedly taken him tea, and tried to get him to eat something. A Mrs. Stewart had brought drink to deceased. The night before last, Mrs. Stewart's boy had brought a bottle of gin and some beer to the deceased, wliich witness endeavored to take from him, but he would not give it up. When Mr. Ayton came in the morning, he broke all the bottles containing drink. By the Coroner. — Deceased was sensible when I saw him yesterday. Mr. Weldon here informed the jury that if they considered the evidence of Mrs. Stewart necessary she should be at once sent for. From her reputed character her testimony would, however, be unreliable. The jury expressed the opinion that her attendance was not requisite. Constable E. Wilson gave evidence corroborative of the witness Todd. Dr. Grigor deposed he had made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, J. A. Wild. Externally there were extensive bruises on the lower part of the back and thighs. There was a smell of spirits about the mouth. On opening the head found the brain congested. The lungs were also congested. There were some oldstanding adhesions to the posterior part of the lungs. The right side of the heart was distended with blood, but there was no disease of that organ. The liver was much enlarged. The stomach contained about half-an-ounce of fluid, apparently gruel ; the mucous membrane was congested, and presented red patches over its surface. There was no smell of spirits in the stomach. The spleen was unusually small. The other organs were healthy. I did not examine the kidneys. From the appearance of the stomach and brain, I felt no doubt death had been caused by alcoholic poisoning. In a case of the Mnd it could not be expected to find the spirits in the stomach, as they would be absorbed very rapidly. By Mr. Weldon. — The bruises on the back of deceased might have been produced by a stick or whip. The other marks on his person were a black eye and the mark of a blister on the back. By a Juror. — The blood in the heart was not in excess of what might be expected, when death occurred from such a cause as deceased's. In reply to another Juror. — I had heard the man had been drinking ; but if not, I should have concluded it to be the case from the smell of spirits about the mouth. I have no experience of flogging ; I believe it is usual in the army and navy to have a surgeon present to feel the pulse. Knowing nothing of the case, I cannot, as a medical man, give an opinion as to the advisability of the treatment pursued. I Bhould examine any case fceiore treatment; but not having been present, I cannot say whether I should have done the same — the patient being in a comatose state — as Dr. Monckton. Had there been anything wrong with the kidneys, the flogging would not have produced death so suddenly. Flogging is recommended by some authors when the stomach-pump cannot be employed, or circumstances prevent the use of an emetic. The Coroner. — The action of alcohol is sometimes very rapid, and unless the stomach-pump were applied almost immediately, it might be of no use. Dr. Grigor, in reply to some further questions by jurors, said — I should not, if called in, and knowing the patient to be . -|-cry weak, order flogging • but the effect of drink might, through causing an inability to walk, give the same appearance as weakness. Mr. Weldon. — Was the treatment pursued im accordance with the received practice in cases of the kind? Dr. Grigor. — It would depend upon the case and the health of the man. In the absence of other remedies, it might be the best means to keep I him up. Deceased was a mau of middle age. I should consider it would be necessary to support a man in the condition of deceased while walking him about. Francis Alexander Monckton, surgeon, deposed. — I was called about seven o'clock yesterday evening to see the deceased in Esk-street. I saw thestate he was in, and went immediately to th& Hospital for the stomach-pump. I requested the police to lift deceased up by the arms, and, if possible, force him to walk up and down tha yard.. I borrowed a whip, as he would only walk a little,, being in a state of semi- coma. I instructed the* constables to force him, if possible, to exertion, by severely flaggelating him ; and, thinking they would not understand the absolute necessity of the treatment, I commenced it myself, to show them I was in earnest. To enable this to be done more effectually, I called in volunteers from thestreet to assist in relieving the constables, who were supporting deceased. I instructed one of , the constables to have a large bowl of mustard and. water prepared; but I do not know whether it was done, as, upon attempting to use the stomachpump, I found a part unsoldered, rendering ifc unfit for use. I should have used the mustard and water with the stomach-pump. I immediately went for another to Mr. Clarke's, the chemist. He had not got one, but at once went about to get one. When eventually he arrived it was too late, the man was dead. He died while two men were supporting him. I was in the lock-up at the moment. The instructions I gave were not to suspend the flagelation if he would not walk, as the man's life depended upon it. I believe flagelation to be necessary in a case of impending death from the cause stated, and . that I sliould have rendered myself liable to censure for neglect if I had not used such means, which are usual in cases of poisoning by alcohol. By a Juror. — The purpose of the flagelation was to produce pain, and is in accordance with the practice in London Hospitals. [Mr. Monckton here read from authorities on the subject in support of his views.] Mr Monckton continued — The man was too comatose to swallow; he several times roused up under the application of the whip, which afforded the only chance of saving his life. I did not consider him to weak to bear it. I did not feel his pulse during the flagelation, knowing what it would be until consciousness was restored. It is possible the man's life might have been saved if the stomach-pump could have been applied in time. In a case of coma, tickling the throat with a feather would be of no use. I. N. Watt, Resident Magistrate at Campballtown, gave evidence to the effect that when a medical student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he had seen a patient in a comatose state through swallowing laudanum treated by flagelation while supported by two men. He thought the best proof of the necessity for the adoption of the last resource by Mr. Monckton was given by the sudden death of the patient. By a Juror — I do not think that death was accelerated by the flagelation. The patient, in a state of coma, has neither strength nor feeling, aid it is necessary to arouse the system by a shock of some kind. A man might be comatose and recover without such treatment, as for ins:ance in some cases of fracture of the skull, where the operation of trephining at once restored consciousness. By Mr. Monckton — Any torture short of organic injury would not cause immediate death, and it might be requisite at aU hazards to arouse tlie patient.

The enquiry was then closed. After • a deliberation of about -a quarter of an hour, the jury returned a verdict of "Died by alcoholic intoxication."