Sudden death in the Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2028, 5 July 1875, Page 2

Sudden death in the Hospital.

CORONEK'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held in. the Salutation HoteF at 11 o'clock this morning, before J. E. Macdqnald, Esq., TCoroner, and a jury, on the body of Hill Gilniore, who died in the Hospitals The following gentlemen were empannelled as a jury : —Messrs Francis Amy, K. Brown, J. Gilliesi Jr Fenton, J. H. Jefferson, J. Mi Coote, J. Forgie, J. Elley, 11. Bertram, J. H. Baxter, E. Darrah. J. Lepbam... Mr Joseph Hardy Jefferson wa^electedibreman. ;

-The jury retired to view the: body: which was lying in the. Thames Hospital. Having returned— . 7 i Alexander Fox, deposed—l am aduly; qualified .medical practitioner, carrying: on business at Shorfcland ; also Surgeon] to the Thames Hospital. A messenger came to me from Smales' Buildings about; 8 o'clock on Saturday, the 3rd instant,; saying that there was a man there in convulsions. On my way thither I met men carrying deceased to the hospital They informed me, that he was the man. I repaired to the Hospital and examined him. He was sensible, and able to return answers toquest'ons. He had given his name, age, &c, to Mr Aitken, the House Steward. There were no convulsions, but his right arm was paralysed. I asked him whether he ever had.fits,before, when he replied "twelve or thirteen \ times." He appeared inclined to dose.; I ordered some medicine, and gave instructions that he should be. kept quiet, 1 thought it a case of epilepsy and expected he would have a lon£ sleep and awake well. I was called up at 4.30 a.m. next morning by the night watchman.. I found deceased in a moribund state.; He died about 5 o'clock,' the nightwatchman and myself being present. I yesterday made a post mortem examination. I found the basilar artery — the largest artery of the brain—diseased and obstructed by coagulura. ■ This was the cause : of epilepsy and the cause of death. The' person I have been speaking of is Hill "Gilmore," the same regarding whose death the present inquest is held. By a Jurjman —Only one messenger cams for me. 1 said I could not go as I

Was .very busy. . He went to Dr Lethbridge,' bufc-'he could not go, so the messenger came for me again, and I went. The artery was completely obstructed. By "the Coroner—The message I received as first spoken of was brought to my surgery, and was not brought to me as relating to my duties as Hospital Surgeon. I, however, went as soon as it wag possible for me to go. I left a :good many patients waiting in my consulting room. . Rebecca Wilson deposed—l am" wife of, John Wilsonr wh» keeps the Paracen's Head Hotel. I have known the deceased for , the last twelve.months.... He L w, asJboa.rding a. t s my he use. Sincecoming from Ohiriemuri he boarded with us for three weeks. He was sleeping at Smalcs' Buildings. A.man came over, saying that Gilmore was ill, and asking for a cup of tea. My daughter went over, and, coming said, " Mother, Gilmore is in a fit." On Saturday he had been complaining of a headache. The doctor was sent for, and in the meantime the head of deceased was bathed in water. Dr Lethbridge came first, as Dr. Fox could not come. Dr. Lethbridge said deceased had better be taken to the Hospital as he was dange^ rously ill. That was done. J". H. Baxter, one of the jurymen, said: I know the deceased. He was about 34 years of age. I have been acquainted with him for twelve years in New Zealand. He came from Newtonards, in County Down, Ireland. { William Mumford —I knew Gilmorel' Mrs "Wilson called me to S2e him about aa quarter to eight on Saturday night. He was insensible. I found him unable to speak. He motioned towards his temple with his right hand.;: I got some water, and bathedL his temple^. He did not seem to improve, so I went for Dr Fox, who said he could not come, as he was ,too busy. He told me, to go for Dr ■Lethbridge. I went to Dr Lethbridge, who-came instantly. He examined de-;, ceased, and said he had a stroke. He then left, and I went with him. I asked him whether he thought it advisable to take deceased to the Hospital. • Dr Lethbridge asked me before leaving was. .he, to ? prescribe for deceased therei•■] !E said, I|do^ not know. He. said/:H If 11 have> I will give you some medicine for him." He then said it would be better, under the circumstances of G-ilmore's lonely condition* to take him to the Hospital. He told me to go and see Dr Fox again. That was not to tell Dr Fox that deceased had been taken to the Hospital.i Dr Fox said he would come as soon as he could. I ran for a stretcher, seeing that deceased was no better, and with assistance tookhim to the hospital. On tie way to the hospital I saw Dr Fox coming out of his house, and Wt said, "It is no use your going to Smales' Buildings as we are taking him to the hospital.'' Dr. Fox then went into his house. I was with deceased some time in the Hos-j pital and then left. I saw deceased stripped. -;; He had |inihi^ pocket, a knife^ pipe, and tobacco, half-penny, penny, and a purse containing a bank order. Mr Aibken looked at the order, whicli he said was for £40.

■•- By a juryman: I was there about; a quarter of an hour, and the doctor did not appear during Jthat; time* ff|On\my|way from the^ Hospital^ Kiaw4l)rJ^P6xiland told him that I had left word with Aitken that he (Dr. Fox) would be at the v Hospital immediately. Thomas Aitken deposed —I am Hospital Dispenser. Deceased was brought to the Hospital on Saturday night between 8 and 9 o'clock. He was then insensible.: Dr Fox came in about 10 minutes after. Gilmore was brought in. He prescribed for him. Deceased was hot sensible at first, but afterwards told me his age. 37. We stripped the man and put him into; bectr "We> alsbsearched' '"fitspockets, and found a bank order; for >: £40. It did not! take 10 minutes. lam quite certain it; was not half an hour before the doctor: came after deceased was brought in* '■

Dr Fox, having been recalled, in reply to the Coroner/ said-—Dr Lethbridge.could have done nothing when he visited the deceased atlSmale's Building which would have saved his life. When the man came to me^thejsecond time}l thought DrLethbridge had refused.to go,!fand I said I would go as soon as possible. I. did not wait' for a 'messenger to come: from the Hospital after .the deceased was taken there.

After consideration, the jury returned: a verdict of "Died from natural causes. 1' •