CORONER'S IN QUEST.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3888, 7 February 1870, Page 4

CORONER'S IN QUEST.

An inquest was held at the Mount Eden Stockade on Saturday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, before C. F. Goldsbro', Esq., M.D.. and a jury of 12, of whom Samuel Davenport was chosen foreman, on the body of John Douglas. The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body. The following evidence was taken : — Eicharcl A. Eyret sworn : I am Governor of the Mount Eden Stockade. Deceased was a prisoner sentenced by the Resident Magistrate at Shortland to six months' hard labour, for stealing from the premises on the Ist February. He was labouring under the effects of drink when admitted into prison. On Wednesday deceased was taken to the prison hospital suffering from delirium tremens as far as I know. I last saw him alive about half-past 4 on Fiiday afternoon, when he was asleep. His death was reported to me about halfpasbjj this morning.— Dr. T. M. Philson, examined, deposed : When the deceased was admitted to the hospital he was tremulous, sleepless, and had mental delusions. Treated on the stimula-narcotic plan, but sleep was not procured until Friday afternoon. He fell into a comatose state, and sank this (Saturday) morning. He took very little food, and was from the first in a worn-out and debilitated state, having been of intemperate habits, and having suffered from previous attacks of delirium tremens. He was in the Stockade hospital for the same disease about two years ago. I have made a post mortem examination, and found a large quantity of serum effused on the surface and into the ventricles of the brain. The arachnoid membrane was opaque, dense, and at the top of the head adhering to the dura mater, and presenting a somewhat milky appearance. The volume of the brain was somewhat shrunken, and the substance was somewhat firmer than natural. The vessels of the brain were remarkably empty of blood the head much enlarged, the aorta dilated, and containing a quantity of eoa<nilum! The liver was very large, and gorgeS with dark blood. The stomach was empty. The causeof death was nervous exhaustion. Stimulant had been given, in the form of gin, every four hours. Deceased was not violent, but fidgetty, and required to befastenedtothebed. Ge rge Johnson, sworn : I am hospital attendant at the Mount Eden Stockade. I knew the deceased, John Douglas. He was admitted into the prison hospital on the 2nd. He was then very weak, suffering from delirium tremens. He was not violent, but very restless until the evening of the 4th, when he became sleepy, and then gradually sank into a sound sleep. I went to bed at 9 p.m., and left him asleep. I slept in the same apartment. I was not disturbed during the night, but at 5 o'clock this morning I was told that the deceased was dead. The doctor saw him everyday since the 2nd instant, and yesterday visited him twice. I believe he had everything done for him that could be done, but it was very difficult to make him take food. He had gin administered every four hours. His medicine wai regularly administered. — Richard Philips, sworn : lam a patient in the Stockade Hospital. I knew the deceased, who was a patient also. I was out of bed about 12 o'clock on Friday night. The deceased was then sighing heavily. I was again out of bed at 3 a.m. I did not hear deceased's breath. I thought he was dead. I returned to bed, but could not sleep. I never woke any one. It was at day-break it was found he was dead. — The jury then returned the following verdict : ' • Died of delirium tremens."

I' The Old Bachelor's Latest : Ladies wear y corsets from instinct — a natural love of being squeezed.