SUICIDE THROUGH DISTRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 10 (Supplement)

SUICIDE THROUGH DISTRESS.

At the Star and Garter, Church Road, Battersea, Mr. A. Braxton Hicks held an inquiry a few days ago relative to the death of Jane Rankin, aged 36, wife of a carpenter, lately residing at 3, Hanbury Road, Battersea, who committed suicide.

The husband stated that she had not been well for some time, and after she lost her baby, upon whom an inquest was held, she said she felt as if she could destroy her life. The other night she purchased some carbolic acid, ostensibly for cleansing purposes, and on the following morning she said she thought she would take some. Witness remarked, by way of a joke, "Have you got enough for both of us?" and she made no reply. Later on she rushed into the room, and witness said, "Good God, Jenny, you have not taken it." Deceased replied, "Yes, Jim, I have; look after the children." She died before a doctor could be summoned. Witness explained that at the inquest which was held on the baby the jury returned an open verdict, the child having been suffocated. Ho told her that the verdict was a very severe censure, and she seemed to take it very much to heart.

1). L. T. Whitehead said the woman had taken about two ounces of crude carbolic acid.

The coroner remarked that he had held inquests on two of the deceased's children, both of whom had been suffocated, and the jury in the second case thought that after the 6rst warning there must have been some carelessness.

A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was recorded.