INQUEST.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6369, 17 February 1886, Page 2

INQUEST.

EFFiSbTS OF NON-VENTILATION.

An inquest was held yesterday, at the Addington Gaol, by Mr B. Beetham, Coroner, on view of the body of John Nolan, recently deceased. Tie following was thei evidence :— James Donaldson, Gaoler, deposed—The decsased man waa arrested at Aahburion for drankenneae, and was remanded here on February 12 thfor medical treatment. He was attended by- the Prison Surgeon, but on February 14th he became delirious and had a, fit. Aβ hie delirium persisted on hie recovery from the fit he was removed to the padded cell, and visited every halfhour by &n Assistant-Warder. Witnees etkw him at half-past nine, and again at hatfj-past ten, at vhich time he waa crawling about on bis hands and knees. An hour afterw&rds witness found him dead. f : : Sergeant Fetton deposed—Was stationed at Ashburton. Had known deceased, who ■was 1 a married man with a family, for ten jeara. He, waa a habitual drunkard, sad when arrested had got into a very feeble state."- ■---■ " „- i Dr. Nedwill, Gaol Surgeon, said—On Feb. 13th found deceased rational, but very [-weak. Ordered him unlimited beef tea and milk, and to be kept out of the bub. Oβ February 14th found him delirious, and ! repeated the order for nourishment, direot- ! Ing also that he should be placed in a wellventilated cell, and not left alone at night. ; Did: not consider the accommodation and attendance were what they should be in euch cases. The cell deceased occupied was: very imperfectly ventilated, and the nursing At the Gaoler's command was inadequate. There were 250 to 800 drink cases admitted in the year, and each required continual attendance day and night. A great number-developed in bad cases of delirium tremens, and though this was the first one that in his seven years* ezperience ; he haJ kEown to end fatally. He nad always feared that the inadequate nursing would causie such , a result. The cells for. such cases were very badly ventiand unfit for use in hot weather, the air being- hardly fit to breathe after c. few hours' occupation. The padded cells were only intended for cases of delirium tremha who were in danger, by their violence, of injuring themselves against

the walla of an ordinary cell. Witneee JfsjQ||&jt<> cast no reflection on the Gaoler as to their performance of their duty. He must rather bear testimony to the great things they managed in the time at their disposal. But he complained that there was no nursing staff. Death, had resulted from delirium tremm», aggravated by the hot weather and confinement in a badly ventilated cell. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from excessive drinking," and added thia rider—"The jury fully concurs in the remarks made by the doctor, and trusts that the want of ventilation in the cells, and a requisite staff of nurses for such cases, «iU be referred to the proper quarter for cos. sideration." "?

The Coroner stated that the verdiot and rider would be duly forwarded to the Government.