The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-02 00:00:00

MANAGEMENT OF THE ADELAIDE

LYING-IN 1108P1TA L.

Yesterday, Mr. Wakley, M.P., resumed for the
third time and concluded, at the Norfolk Arms, Norfolk
crescent, Islington, an inquest upon Ira. Martha Elizabeth
Stone, aged 29, and her newly-born infant, whose deaths
were attributed to neglect at the Adelaide Lying-in Hos-
pital, Queen-street, Golden-square.
Mr. John Stone, 7, Copenhagen-street, deceased's hus-
band, stated that his wife and child died in the Adelaide
Lying-inj Hospital, Golden-square, on Wednesday week.
His wife entered the institution the previous day. On the
day of her death, and just before her n-couchemeet, he saw
his wife, who was quite sensible, and told him she was
beget. But before leaving the hospital Mrs. Neale, the
nurse, brought his into another room and said, " Your wife
is very 111, and I don't think she will get over it." She
then showed witness the dead body of the infant and further
said, " If Dr. Yell or some experienced person had been
present at the birth things might be all tight." She then
added that when the called on Mr. Stillman, a neighbouring
surgeon, it was too late, and she delivered his wife the hest
way she could. Witness's wife got an admission order to
the hos, ital for two guineas from Dr. Yell, who attended
her during her previous confinement. In addition to the
fee, witness was served with a bill for a quart of brandy,
Icinnamon, fie., for his wife's use.
Charlotte Neale, nurse at the Adelaide Lying-in Hospital,
said she had held that appointment five years. She did not
understand anatomy, but acted as midwife in the absence
of medical attendance. Mrs. Stone, who was Dr. Yell's
patient, wail brought to the hospital in labour pains on Tues-
day week reening. At that time Dr. Yell was in the
country. She went to his house on the day of her admis-
sion to inform him of the fact. Ho dkl not attend on Mon-
day, Tuesday, or Wednesday. She last saw him at the
hospital the Saturday preceding deceased's admission.
By the Coroner—Dr. Yell was the only doctor to the
hospital. She did not know whether there was a secretary
or treasurer to the Institution. There was no committee,
nor was she aware that it had govereors. Witness and a
servant girl were the only female attendants. There were
sometimes as man as 14 patients. Witness had 121. a year,
which Dr. Yell paid her. He paid for batter, bread, milli-
nery,.and everything. There was no house surgeon, but
occasionally a pupil. Dr. Yell was the secretary, treasurer,
committee, and everything.
A juror—lf a patient becomes suddenly ill what do
you 110 ?
Witness—lf the pupil is not in the houses I ran out for a
surgeon.
Examination resumed—On Thursday she resigned her
situation. Since that time Dr. Yell removed his family to
the hospital, and they have taken charge of the patients.
Before Mrs. Stone's admission Dr. Yell told witness, that
hex's would be • bad ease, and yet never gave witness
any instructions about her, nor did he say that he was going
to the country. When deceased became very ill at midnight
on Tuesday the pupil was in the hospital, but as she did not
deem him competent she did not call him up. As there
was no progress in the labour she sent for Mr. Stillman at
half-past three on Wednesday morning, whi nhe remained
ten minutes with Mrs. Stone. As Mrs. Stone got worse in
the morning, she sent again three times for Mr. Stillman
before he could come. At length he came at eleven
o'clock, and the birth took place within half-an-hour.
The child was born dead. The mother was very exhausted.
No instruments were used, or medicines administered to
hasten the birth. The mother got atimulants afterwards,
but gradually sunk until evening, when she died.
Mr. Thomas Stillman, surgeon, said that when he first
attended deceased everything was natural, hut when he
next saw her, at eleven the following morning, she was
dying, an internal rupture having t iken place. She was
cold and puleeless. She was delivered of • full-grown still-
born child. After the birth he gave the mother brandy,
and she rallied He visited her two hours afterwards,
when Dr. Yell was with her. and he left the ease in Dr.
Yell's hands. Witness was under no engagement at the
hospital ; he only attended as a favour. Previous engage
menta prevented him seeing her earlier than he did the
morning of her death. It was a natural birth.
Coroner—You acted very wrong, fur when a medical man
is called in to a ease it is his duty to stand to it. There was
no reason why the child should not have been born within
two hours.

Dr. Robert Temple, examiner on midwifery at the
Apothecaries Hall, and chief physician to the Islington In-
firmary, stated that he made as autopsy of both bodies.
The mother was wholly free front external braises, or
marks of injury. The lungs were slightly, and the kidneys
extremely diseased. The other organs were healthy. Death
of the mother resulted from exhaustion, produced by a rup-
ture of the uterus, four inches in length, caused by the

3

M. 7 re olds* child's head against It. The chftd was still-
Such an occurrence might have taken act ander
the greatest sue. Still, attention lessened the chances of a
nitt:strre.
t.
—lt mita that Mr. Stillman is greatly to blame
in the ease. An aceouchement requires the greatest atten-
tion. Had Mr. Ekillinau attended at nine o'clock nn Wed-
acidity, when he was sent for, the woman might have been
relieved. Things are badly managed in the hospital, where
it would appear nobody attended to the sick.
Dr. Gill said that some years ago he became secretary and
surgeon to the hospital, nod that some time afterwards the
' committee disappeared, leaving the institution indebted
7001., for which he 1,14$ held responsi'de. Atter which he
was compelled to take upon himself the whole charge of the
hospital, which was chargeable with 2001. a rear rent. Mr.
Stillman was now the secretary of the hospital.
A Jurnr—Why, Mr. Stillinan has just sworn that he is
nut connected with the hospital, and that he only attended
as a favour.

The
er summed up at great length, severely ani-
mad verti ug upon Mr. titiUinan's conduct, and concluded
by observing that the hospital was the most strangely
governed institution he ever head of, and that it m :de the
most unfavourable impression upon hint, the jury, and the
whole court. Ile trusted that the public would be made
acquainted with the whole history of this truly melancholy
case.

The jury, after half an hour's deliberation, returned the
following verdict : " That tho deceased, Martha Elisabeth
Stone, died from exhaustion cate.od by internal rupture."
To which the jury appended the tollowinir observation :
" The jury cannot separate without expressing a very de-
cided opinion that the place called the Adelaide Lying•in
Hospital, situated in Queen-street, Golden-square, is not
entitled to the pecuniary contributions of the public."

CLERICAL.
. I.NTO.
Rev. Cadwallader Coker, to Shilton Perpi tool Curacy,
Warwickshire, value ; patron, Lord Chancellor.
Rev. Edward Pickard Cambridip (hector of Warmwell),
to be Chaplain to the Sheriff of Dorset.
Rev. Harry Curies, to Langhani Iti rtory, Suffolk, value
2211 with residence ; patron, Lord Cheneellor.
Rev. William Corocwall, to 6.1 Colonial Chaplain, Gold
Coast.
Rev. James Grave,, to bo Chaplain to the District Lu-
natic Asylum, Kilkenny.
Rev. Anthony Berwick Leclimcre (Vicar of AVellaucl,
Ike.), to be Chaplain to the Sheriff of Won coarrAire.
Rev. David Rober:ft, to Mostyn Ctrpetual Curacy, Flint-
shire, value MI., and residence ; pot-on, Bbhep of St.
Asaph.
Rev. Win. Wight, to Ilarbury Vicnragr, Worc.6tenhire,
value MI., and residence ; pa•ron, Rev. C. Ni ws.on.

V trA 7f CI P.A.
Pann•.Nn.—Kilroot, diocese Connor; WT. J. Gwynn,
drawled.

RICTURIZIE—CuIIen (^nd Vicarage), diocese Eudy,:vslue
6501. ; patron, Bishop of Cashel, &c. ; Rev. A. 1. Arm-
strong, promoted.
Kilmot (and Vicarage), diocese Connor ; patron, Bishop
of Down, &c. ; Rev. J. Gwynn, deceased.
CBAPLAINCT.—Oxford, Radcliffe Infirmary ; RC,. J.
Radcliffe, deceased.
Masveannir.—Humbeestone Grammer School, Lincoln-
shire, second mastership ; Mr. David Swauson, deceased.