INQUEST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 5

INQUEST.

An inquest was held before E. Herbert, Esq., J.P , on the 28th August, at the Tuapeka Hospital, on the body of John Ingram. The deceased was 49 years of age, and a native of England. Mr. R. Hills was elected foreman of the jury, who then proceeded to view the body. Wm. Boult, a patient in the hospital, was then called, and gave evidence as follows : — I have seen the body of deceased lying on view. I recognise it as the body of John Ingram. He was a patient in the same ward as myself. Was in conversation with him from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Did not remark anything unusual with him at that time. We both retired tc rest at ten o'clock. About one a.m. on Wednesday morning I awoke. Deceased was standing undressed in front of the fire. We had a short conversation. He then returned to bed. In about half an hour I noticed he was breathing heavily. I called to him, but on receiving no reply sprang out of bed and shook him repeatedly, without getting an answer. In a few seconds his arm, of which I had a hold, dropped lifeless from my grasp. I immediately called the wardsman, and reported the matter to him. Patrick M'Gannon was then called, and stated that on being awakened by the previous witness he immediately went to the bedside of deceased, and from Ms appearance concluded that he was dead. He then called the Resident Surgeon, who came to the ward in a few minutes. The Foreman asked this witness if he had detected any signs of drink on the deceased the previous day. Witness replied in the negative, and as the same time mentioned that he appeared in better spirits than usual on the day of his death. Dr. Stewart, on being called, made the following statement : — I last saw deceased alive about seven p.m. on Tuesday evening. Did not remark anything unusual about him. He appeared cheerful. I was called by the wardsman about 1 30 a.m. on the following morning, who reported that Ingram was either dead or dying. I immediately visited the patient, and found life extinct. Have made a post mortem examination, by order of the Coroner, and found the cause of his death to be the growth of a tumor inside the heart, which, on its becoming detached, stopped the circulation of the blood, and caused instantaneous death. The deceased was admitted a patient of the Tuapeka Hospital on the 27th May, 1873, but had for a long time previously been an inmate of this and other hospitals. Verdict : — " The deceased died from disease of the heart, in accordance with the medical testimony adduced." The above inquest was held as doubts were entertained as to the cause of Ingram's death.