" ACTING AS A PIRATE."

EAST END CORONER AND THE HERBALIST. Me. Wynne E. Baxter, J.P., coroner for East London, held an inquest at Stepney a few days ago on the body of John Yallop, aged 12 months, the child of parents living at 1, Chusan Place, Limehouse. -

Eliza Yallop, the mother, deposed that the child had been in delicate health. His breathing was very bad, and being unable to obtain the services of Dr.' Welch she went to Mr. Purdue's, in Gait-street.

The Coroner: He keeps a chemist shop. What was the use of taking him there?

Witness: That was the nearest. The Coroner: Don't conceal anything. Hasn't lie been attending ore of your sister's children?

Witness: Yes, sir; and I hove been to bim before, but I didn't know lis could not give a death certificate.

The Coroner: You thought this Mr. Purdue was a doctor?

Witness: Yes, certainly. I only went for advice.

The Coroner (reading from the label on a bottle): I see it says, "Advice gratis." Depend upon it, if you get it for nothing it is not worth much.

Witness added that Mr. Purdue examined the child, gave her some medicine and liniment, for which he charged 6d, and said that if the child became worse she was to go and see him again. As the child got no better she took him again,-and Mr. Purdue sounded him, and advised her to give him lemon juice and barley-water. He called on the two following days, when the child was much worse, and said that she ought to have another doctor. She asked him if she should go for one, and he said that he would bring a friend round, but subsequently he sent a note advising her to get either Dr. McAndrew, or the doctor opposite the police station in the West India Dock Road.

John Charles Purdue, of Gait-street, Limehouse, was sworn, and was asked by the coroner what his occupation was.

Witness: I am a registered herbalist. The Coroner: How registered? Witness : In " Kelly's Directory." The Coroner: That's not a medical register. Can you show me any authentic medical registration? Witness "handed a paper to the coroner, who, after reading it, remarked: This seems to be something about the Society of the Three Tailors of Tooley-street.

Witness: I think, Mr. Baxter, you look upon me as an outlaw. The Coroner: That is just what I do. You are acting as a pirate, and imposing on these poor people. Haven't you been fined before? Witness: Yes, and a most disgraceful thing, too. The Coroner: No doubt you consider " the law an ass." Witness: Two malicious doctors pub the society on to me. The" Coroner: Yes, but the magistrate fined you, and not the doctors. A Juror: I should like to know if this gentleman is known as the " tea leaves'' doctor?" The Coroner: I cannot say. Witness handed the coroner a paper, which he said was an Act allowing him to carry on his business without interference. The Coroner: I see it was passed in the reign of Henry VIII. and says something about "witchcraft and sorcery." Doctors, of course, were not so we'll known as they are now. You are no more a doctor than I am. Witness: lam a dealer in herbs. The Coroner: That is not a profession. I don't know what you wanted to bring this paper here for. It is perfect rubbish. We are not living in the reign of Henry VIII. In reply to questions as to his reasons for endeavouring to bring a Dr. Meadows into the case, witness said: He is good to the poor—skilful and truthful—and if anyone took a child to him and told him that they had been to " Purdue" he would say, " If he can't do you any good I can't.'' (Loud laughter.) I have been ten years in the neighbourhood, and have only had five inquests. The Coroner: It is clear that a lot of people think you are a doctor. Witness: I have over my door "Botanical Herbalist,"land I believe the Act under which I practise is as good as ever.

Dr. Charles Welch, of Commercial Road, deposed that it was impossible to say that the life of the child might have been saved had a duly qualified medical man seen him earlier.

A Juror: I should like to know what the "medicine" which Mr. Purdue gave was made of. Was it Spanish liquorice or tea leaves and salt?

The Doctor (smelling the bottle : It smells very much of Worcester sauce. The Coroner: The bottle is labelled " .1. C. Purdue, F.C-S.M., London. Safe medicine. Member of the Magnetic and Botanic School of Safe Medicine, London. Founded 1893. Advice gratis daily." The Coroner: What society is likely to take up a case of this description? A medical gentleman' in Court informed the coroner that the Society of Apothecaries would undoubtedly take it Up, as there was ample evidence for a prosecution. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes," and requested the coroner to forward the facts to the Apothecaries' Society.