INQUEST.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1484, 12 August 1867, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon at the Britannia hotel, before the coroner, J. W. S. Coward, Eeq , on the body of Ceha Manhire. Mr H. F. Seager wao foreman of the jury. , Daniel Manhire, living in the Lincoln road, the husband of the deceased, deposed that hu wifrt was taken in labour at noon on Thursday. He left home at half-past eight in the morning, »nd she seemed then much as usual. He returned home at half-past two, and found her delivered of a boy. No doctor had been engaged to attend her. She preferred to have a woman, with the understanding that if a doctor was needed one was to be called. Mrs Sampson and Mrs Sutherland were with the deceased when he returned, and shortly afterwards a Mrs Whyte, a woman who was expected to be with her, came in. Mrs Whyte asked witness to fetch a doctor, and he went for Dr. Prine, who came about half-past four. Hβ remained about an hour, and when he was leaviag, he told witness it was doubtful whether she wduld lire. This .was—her sixth confinement. She had been twice confined in the Hospital. Mrs Sampson 'anil ifw Sutherland only came as neighbours. A Mrs Robertson, who lives at the Halswell, twsdte miles away, was engaged to attend to the deceased.

; Louisa Sutherland stated that ehe was a 'neighbour oT the deceased, "arid" was sent for about, half-past twelve on Thursday. A few minutes- afterwards the deceased was delivered of-a—ohild. Witness went at once for Mrs Sampson, who came immediately and took the child. Deceased was put to bed, and she became very sick and fairit, and Mrs Sampson wished a doctor to be sent for, about three ,o'ol.Qok Mr Manhire went for Mr { Pria*, and witness left. Mrs Whyte, who had been engaged to attend deceased, came about three o'clock, and did not. wish to have • doctor sent for, as she thought that all would be right." Bebecca 'Sampson deposed that she was called to see the deceased about half-past one on Thursday. The child was born when she got :to the house, and Mrs Manhire was lying on the floor. Had done what she thought necessary. The woman was put to bed, aod began to vomit. Had then asked the husband to go for a doctor, but he said that he would watt until Mrs Whyte came, whioh she did in about an hoar and a-half. Mrs Manhire was all that time dangerously ill. Witness told the husband and Mrs Whyte. The deceased was fainting and vomiting all the time. Mrs Whyte thought it would be as well to wait before'sending fora doctor, as she did not think Mrs Manhire dangerously ill. After about three-quarters of an hour, the doc tor was sent for. '

deposed that deceased had spoken to her about six weeks ego. She said that she had engaged a nurse, but that she should like witness also to come. Did not engage to attend her as a midwife, nor to go at all unless disengaged at the time. Had told deceased that she would not leave other work toi goto her. Had asked deceased who was to be the doctor, and she said that she would not have one. Recommended deceased, to go to the Hospital, but she refused, oaying, " No; if I live* I live ; but if I die, I will die in my own house.". On Thursday, between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, Mr Manhire had asked witness; fo see his wife, as she was not very well. -Called abont eight o'clock, and deceased said that she had not been well for two days... Witness said that she would stay if deceased liked, but she did' not wish witness to stay.: Her husband wished her to stay, but deceased again refused. Between two and three o'clock bad gone again to the house, and found that she had been delivered of a child. .Witness then asledv the husband; to go for a doctor. It was about half an. hour before he was asked to go, deceased «B :fhe time ; objecting to one being sent . fpr.;; iHO\: never given deoeased or her husband 'torurideretand that! would attend.withouj;.a. doctor... _ „ : H. H. Prins said that the husband of the deceased had called witness to attend his wife about Sre "o'clock on Sunday evening, but not having been engaged had sent him to Dr Leach. Manhire returned and eaid that Dr Leach could not go for half an hour Manhire related the facts of the case,' and witness at once went. On his arrival-he found the deceased , in a' ; eiaW-ofVc6B»pse,'and had given her stimulants and nourishment. Dr Prins then stated-what- other means he had used: The woman did not rally, but did in about three-quarters of an hour after he left Had attended the deceased in the Hospital on a former occasion, when sh&recbVered quickly. He believed that had a doptor been present ithetwoman'would; haveTeioovered.;- :■>:..'

The Jury, after abotathalfan hour's deliberation; returned the following verdict—"That-

the retention of the afterbirth, and the jury considered that the husband of the deceased showed culpable want of prompitude in seeking medical assistance for his wife." The Coroner said that he'fully coincided with the bitter portion of the verdict.