Evening star., 1901-08-12

having competent jurors, yet an occasion
might arise when the verdict Of coroner 8
jury would rather obstruct and complicate
the case. An instance occurred not long
since where a man against whom there was
strong prima facie case was permitted
by a coroner's jury to go free. Manifestiy,
ii this case had been tried by the proper
legal authority the man would have been
held for manslaughter, even though he
were not guilty of murder. Divesting this
subject of all other consideration, IL would
seem improper to expect from the coroner
who must needs be medical officer, the
legal knowledge which is necessary to con-
duct a criminal investigation. The useful
ness of the office of coroner depends In gen.
eral upon its medical investigations, ana
it seems far better that qualified legal OF.
ficer of the District should have charge'of
certain phases of all inquests.
MOrtuary Statistics.
The mortuary record for the year. with
deaths, classified as follows:
Natural deaths-Abscess of lung, 1; agina
pectoris, IL; anurism of norta, B: abor-
tion (accidentaD, 2; artero schlerosis, l.;
apopIexy (or cerebral hemorrhage), 80; al
coholism, IL; asthenia cardiac, /; appendi-
citis, L; bronchitis, 1; bronchorrhOea. l.;
cerebral congestion, 2; cholera infantum,
4, cerebral s6ftening, 1; cirrhosis, 1; de-
lirium tremens 1; diphtheria, 4; dysentery,
1; endocarditis, >; enteritis, 2; entero CO.
litis, 4: excitement, /; fatty heart, 3; gas
tritis p; gall stone (passage of, 1; gastric
hemorrhage. /; castro enter1tis, 81 heart
disease {valvular), SO; cancer. 4: Childbirth, a,
1; congenital debility. 2: infantile convul-
sions, /; influenza, 5; malaria. menapa,lse,
1: malnutrition, i3; nephritis, 15; ovarian
cyst. 1; ophthalmia neonatorum, 1; patent
foramen ovale, 1; pulmonary congestion, ";
pulmonary hemorrhage, IL; pericarditis, il;
pneumonia, So; piosalpinx, /; premature
birth. %; pertusses, 5; rachites, 2 larcoma,
1: senile debility, "a; tuberculosis. 4S;
typhoid fever, g.; thrombosis (due to preg-
heat stroke, 1; hemorrhage drom UNI
bilical cord), 4. Total 49S
Violent deaths-Accidental injuries. falls,
&c, So; steam railway accidents In the
District of Columbia, 8; steam railway ac-
cidents not in the District of Columbia, g.;
street railway accidents in the District Of
Columbia. 8; street railway accidents not
In the District Of Columbia, L; electric
shock. 6; accidental burns, %; accidental
drowning, 80: accidental poisoning by
Illuminating gas. 8; opium, 4; carbolic acid,
1; sulphuric acid, l.; atropine, Il: chloro-
form, 1; paraldehyde, l. Total. 1874.
Suicides-By gunshot wounds. 10; inha1-
ing gas, 3; carbolic acid. 6; incised wound
of wrist. 1; cutting throat. 3; opium poison,
4; arsenic, 1: prussic acid, 1; chloral hy-
drate, 1; drowning, 4; hanging, 2; total, 49,
Homicides, IL; accidental homcides, 2:
criminal abortion, 5; legal hangings, 2;
total. 20.
Total violent deaths, PA; total natural
deaths, 1872; still births, 165; total deaths
from all causes, 81.
Number Of autopsies-United States
cases, AZ; District cases, 50.
Number of inquests, 80.
Number of bodies cared for in morgue.
3OS
Expense Account.
The expenses for the fiscal year were
81, ,99S13
Coroner hewitt submits the following es-
Inmates for year ending June 80, 1908:
Salary Of coroner, $1,sOO; stenographer
and clerk, 5000; morgue keeper, $500; assist
ant morgue keeper, $3.50; making autop-
sizes, $500; livery, $500; ice and supplies for
morgue, $1OO; incidental expenses, $50.
Total, 5000.