Star. — 1826-10-20 (London, England)

DEATH FROM STARVATION.  Yesterday evening an Inquisition was holden before J. W. UNWIN, Esq. at the Shears public house, Chequer. alley, Whitvcross.street, St. Luke's, on the body of an aged female, Mrs. Ann Barawall, whose death was occasioned by starvation. When the Jury was empanelled, they proceeded to view the body, which lay in a shell in a miserable hovel in the neighbourhood. The apartment containing it was destitute of even the common articles of furniture, and so desolate did it appear, as to attract tk attention of the Jury, who asked some questions in explanation, in reply to which, it was stated that the only article dis. coves ed after the wretched woman's decease was a flock bed, which was in so loathsome a state, and infested with vermin, that to prevent contagion, it was thought advisable to coibmit it to the flames. The corpse itself was in the most emaciated condition, and round the neck and shoulders exhibited some marks of discoloor. ation, which being observed by the Jury, they, on their return to the inquest room, asked the Coroner if any medical evideece was provided to satisfy them of the cause of them, as also of the deceased's death.  The Coroner (to the beadle)—Have you, as I directed, given the parish surgeon notice to examine the body ? The Beadle.—l waited on Mr. Wilks, sen. the vestry clerk, to know whom I should call upon to perform that office, and that Gentleman said, as the parish board had determined to discountenance employing medical men in such cases, he would not think of putting the parish to an expense on the present occasion. He told me I might employ whom I liked, and let the county pay fur it. Not knowing what to do, I did not employ any one. The Coroner.—This is not the first time I have had reason to complain of the want of courtesy and attention of the authorities of this parish. In all the other parishes in and about London, the parochial stvgeon examines the bodies of such persons as inquisitions are taken on. I formerly had to threaten an overseer for refusing to provide a surgeon to examine the corpse of a murdered man, and it was only on his being warned of the consequences of his neglect that he consented to do so. (Turning to the Jury). if, Gentlemen, you should think it necessary to have medical evidence to satisfy your minds, it shall certainly be procured. The inquiry was then gone into. Susan Smallwood examined—l am nine years of age; on Monday night my mother told me to go and see how the deceased was. She was ill; I believe, some time before ; I went as I was desired, and found her in the house where she now lies. On going up stairs I found the door ajar, and on opening it I called out two or three times. I received no answer, and on going in I discovered her lying on the bed ; she was quite dead, and cold at the time. I gave an alarm, and Mr. Giles came to my assistance. The last time I saw the deceased alive was on Saturday week: Edward Giles examined—l am landlord of the house in which the deceased resided. I did not see her for some days previous to her death ; she was, I understood, unwell ; the last time I saw her was when I was called on by the last witness. On entering the room I found her stretched on a miserable mattress • she was quite dead, and rolled up in a heap; her clothes were on her. I have heard she used at times to solicit alms, and that she bad a scanty allowance from the parish, which she found great difficulty in procuring. I saw no marks of violence on her person. 1 think she died by the visitation of