Sudden Death and Inquest.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2618, 30 May 1877, Page 3

Sudden Death and Inquest.

An inquest on the body of John Thomas Dove — who was found dead under circumstances as stated below— was held at; the Warden's Court House, Grahamstown, at 11 o'clock this morning, before Dr Kilgour, coroner. The following jurymen were empannelled: —Messrs j. Mennie, Harry Nicholson, J. Endean, P. Donnelly, T. Lawless, H. J3:innerman, A. Kelso, C.McDonald, J. Clark, J. Jeffry, Pope, H. Lee. After Mr Mennie was elected foreman, and the jury had been sworn in, they proceeded to view the body.

Joseph Jennings, sworn, deposed—l reside in Kirk wood street. I know the deceased John Dove. He is my brother-in-law. He resides iv Auckland, but he has been living with me for about a month. He was unmarried. He was blind in both eyes, and had the right leg wanting. He was about 39 years old. I have heard that his blindness was caused by injuries to his leg. He always fretted when by himself. I never heard him complain. He was in good spirits last night. About half-past Bwe retired to rest. Deceased slept in a rocm off the kitchen ; he could easily find his way to his bedroom. I _ jiever heard anything of him until about this morning. I called out but got no reply. My wife said I had better get up and see what was the matter. I found him on the sofa. I thought he was in a fit. He was frothing at the mouth and was speechless. I bathed his temples. I was with him 10 minutes before I went for the doctor. I returned with Dr Perston. Deceased appeared quieter when we got back. He died about 10 minutes after we returned. I have always been on good terms with deceased ; and my wife also was on the best of terms with her brother. Dr Perston, sworn, deposed—l am a duly qualified medical practitioner. I was called at about half-past 3 this morning to see the deceased, John T. Dove. I found him lying on a couch breathing very heavily, the surface of his" body being very cold, and the pulse hardly perceptible. I immediately put a mustard poultice over the heart, and causad a fire to be lighted, but he did not survive many minutes. On making a post mortem examination this morning I found that the body was well nourished, and the vital organs had a generally healthy appearance. The heart was nearly empty, and nearly covered by a large accumulation of fat. The brain was very much congested, and there was a considerable quantity of hard blood effused, but no clot. I consider that death resulted from "sanguineous apoplexy," the circulation being very infeebled. by the accumulation of fat on the heart.

The Coroner, in answer to a juror, said Dr Perston's testimony was probably strictly accurate, and that deceased had died from the faLty condition of the heart; it was quite common for persons to expire suddenly from such a cause. This concluded the evidence.

The verdict of the jury was, that deceased died from " sanguineous apoplexy." •