THAMES NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10201, 3 May 1912, Page 2

THAMES NEWS.

PATHETIC SUICIDE.

HOSPITAL PATIBNir CUTS HIS THROAT.

THE INQUEST.

At the Hospital yesterday the inquest on the death of Clement Miller was held before the Coroner.

—-Dieoea'sed Son's Evidence.—■

Oiemtenb Charles Miller, somi of deceiasod, said lie was a labourer residing at Stanley Bay, Dewnport. He bad seen the body of deceased, and identified it as that of Clement Miller, his father. Dieceiased was a minor, and was aged about 52 years of age. Hie was a, -widower. Witness did not know when he entered the hospital, but it was about twelve nnonths ago*. Witness saw deceased yesterday on two occasions. He could not talk then, and Av'a® in a bad state. The day before (Tuesday) witness saw deceased. Be was then in' his usual state of mind, and splice rationally. There Was nothing in deceased's behaviour to mr dioate' that he intended to take his>" life. Witness did not know if deceased's life was insured; he did not think it was. —'The Nurse's Statement.— • Flora Ross, nurse at the Thames Hospital, said she wais on duty on the night previous. Witness, with Nurse Thomson was in charge, and with the other nurse attended deceased. He occupied one f tine outside cottages, and was alone. .She last saw deceased at 2.30 a.m. on Thursday mjorriing He was then in bad. ■ Wfitniess spolke ;to( him, and asked him if ho Wais all right, and if ho wanted anything. Deceased said Iki wanted nothing 1. Wiitness asked him if she would put his candle out, and deceased replied that he would like; it left burning 1. Witness saw dlecensed again at 4.35 ai.m., but he was then dead. He Wias still in bed. She' called to him, but received no reply. She went to his bed and felt his pulse, bulb it was not beating. She then informed the charge nur.se (Miss Thomson) and the matron (Miss Wilson). Deceased's belongings were in ih© room. He used to shave himself in bed. For the last few Week's lie: had not left his bed. The razor was them within the roach of deceased. —Tho Matron's Elvidcnoe.—Mkirgaret Wilson, matron of the Thames. Hospital, said* she Was called by Nurse Ross about &A 0 a.m. on Thursday. She was told that Miller was dead. She went alt once to the shelter occupied by deceased, and saw him with his head on the pillows and lias throait out. She found the razor amjongst the bedclothes. It was blood-stained. The razor case Was lying alongside it. Fjvterything showed thiaib deceased had cut his throat -while lying in bed..". His razor and looking-glass were" handy. Deceased had been an 1 inmate of the hospital for owr 12 months. —Dr. Walshe's Statement. —■

Dr. Walsh, medicial superintendent of the Thames Hospital, said that deceased had belen under hisi care since his admission to the hospital in April of last year. Dteceased suffered from miner's consumption. His condition of late had bet- ! come mulch worse, and a- few days I ago he said thalfc he wiaa neflring thie end. Tliere v/as nothing to suggest or clause witness to suspect suicidal tendencies on the pairt of deceased. Witness examined the • wound: The wind-pipa Avas sevei'ed, and the wound extended across both* sides of the nedk, being more extensive on tifei left side, which tended to show tliat the act was doimmitted with the right, handi. iSbme of the miain blond vessels of the nedk had been, divided as well. Thei'e A^ore no other marks of Molencel The cause of deflth was hemhorrage as the result, of w'ound-s to the- neck. Dbath would ensue nlbre quickly on acuount of deceased's Aveafc state. His complaint was incurable, amd deceased was awtoe of that. Deceased was nea.ring the end, and could not have lived an- | other week. •' The Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from a wYmnd selfj-inflicited while in n depressed condition due to his serious illness.