INQUEST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9168, 30 July 1890, Page 3

INQUEST.

DEATH FEOM DEINK. An inquest on the body of Anna Maria Dickson, a married woman who died somewhat suddenly at Richmond, was held at the house of Mr W. Langford, undertaker, Eichmond, at 5 p.m. yesterday, before Mr E. Beetham, Coroner, and a jury of which Mr Langford was chosen foreman. Thomas Walter Dickson, husband of the deceased, deposed that he was of no occupation. About half past 6 a.m. on Sunday last, he was awakened by his wife getting out of bed. She said she was better; she had been ill for two or three weeks from intoxication. She then fell on the bed, saying her feet were cold. He covered them up, and saw she looked strange. He called the attention of a man named Josling, who was attending upon them, They did all they could and sent for Dr Ovenden. Subsequently Dr Hacon came, but the deceased was dead. She never spoke after she said her feet were cold. Witness was drinking heavily at the same time that she was. She was drinking, and he was drinking beer. He knew she was killing herself, but he could not stop it. They were two dipsomaniacs married. Thomas Josling deposed that he was a carrier. On Friday night last Dickson asked him to into his house to take care of the deceased. Both Dickson and his wife had been drinking heavily. Witness stayed there till Monday morning. Deceased was taken worse about five o’clock, and complained of her feet. They were wrapped up, but she never spoke again. Dr W. H. Ovenden deposed that he had attended the deceased for about two years; the last time was in September. Her habits were intemperate, and she was suffering from the effects of alcohol. He had made a post-mortem examination of the body, which was well nourished and bore no marks of violence. The lungs were healthy; the heart in a state of fatty degeneration, and surrounded by fat. The mitral valves of the heart were contracted. The stomach was empty, except a little mucus, the lining membrane being much congested. The liver was large and unhealthy. The kidneys were degenerated. He attributed death to syncope, caused by nervous exhaustion, the result of excessive drinking. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medioal^evidence.