The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1880-07-31 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF A WARWICK SURGEON.  A painful sensation was created in the borough of Warwick, last Sunday morning, when it was reported that Mr. John Robert Nunn, surgeon, of Jury-street, hat died suddenly, An inquest was held at the Warwick Arms Hotel, on Monday afternoon, before Mr. F. R. Moore, borough coroner. Mr. Councillor Baldwin was foreman, and the first witness was Mr. John Robert Nunn, son of the deceased, who stated that his father was a member of the Royal College of Sqrgeons, and was 49 years of age. Witness came home last Friday and found his father in a low state, as though he was worried. Dr. Baty was'ealled in and prescribed for him. On Saturday morning he appeared to be better, had some dinner, and went to bed and slept in the attenuant. He went to bed just before tea, remarking that he was going to lie down and get some rest. Witness visited him in the bedroom once or twice during the afternoon and evening, aud deceased told , him that he felt tired. About one o'clock on Saturday night witness got up to deceased and gave him some brandy, after which he :said," I feel, better now, you can go back to bed." Witness returned to bed, and deceased called him up again at five o'clock on Sundaymorning, when he VOlDplained of palpitation. Witness gave him some more brandy and retired to bed. About half-past eight the servant called witness up, stating that his father was in a fit. Drs. Bullock and Tibbits were called in at once.—Dr. J. S. Baly said he was a surgeon, practicing at Warwick. He saw the deceased on Saturday afternoon, and prescribed for him. He was them in bed, and appeared in a prostrate condition, and said he had been overworked and wanted rest. He was also suffering from great nervous depression, and witness toln him to keep quiet and not go out. He did not complain of any 'pain, but was suffering from prostration and weakness. Witness had never before seen him so low.—luspector Hall produced a tile bottle awl a piece of paper which he found in the deceased's bedroom, also a lead pencil which Vll4-1 laid by the side of the paper.—Dr. Tibbits said he resided next door to the deceased. Having heard that deceased was ill, her called upon him on Saturday, when he found him asleep in the chair in the dining room. The servant said he appeared bettor, awl witness did lot wake him. On Sunday morning, about 8.30, his son requested witness to see his father at once, and he went in  immediately. Mr. Nunn was lying on the bed with the bed clothes over him, evidently dying, ' and unable to speak. Mr. Bullock came in directly and they both saw deceased expire. They hail made many inquiries of his son as to whether anything had happened. Upon a search in the room, they found on the toilet table the bottle produced. It was a prussic acid bottle, whieh had recently contained prussic acid of great strength. Upon the chest of drawers they foand the piece of paper produced, upon which was written, " palpitation so bail, cannot bear it ; love to all." Witness and Mr. Bullock were both aware that the deceased was not in good health, and upon the discovery of the piece of paper they thought it advisable to have the advice of a professional man, and Mr. Chadwick was sent for. In the afternoon witness and Mr. Bullock made a post mortem  examination. Upon opening the stomach they found a large quantity of fluid, and unmistakeable evidence of the presence of prus dc acid. They did not trust to the evidence of the sense of smell, but  , . applied the nitrate of silver test, which proved beyond douLt that prussic acid had hien taken in a large quantity.. Witness had never seen deceased in so low a state s that in which he saw him on Saturday last. He was generally of a very cheerful disposition. Witness was of opinion that the palpitation, with lowness of spirits, had unhinged deceased's brain and rendered him temporarily insane.—Mr. Bullock, M.D., said he saw deceased about 11 o'clock on Saturday morning, when he said he was very poorly aud requested witness to do some work for him, as he was quite unfit for it. He VMS very much depressed and asked witness as to the advisitbility of a change. and he strongly recommended him to go away for a time, and also gave him a gentle; man's address who would be likely to officiate for him. Deceased telegraphed to the gentleman and received an adverse reply, which seemed to put him about. Witness was called in the nett morning, when he found Dr. Tibbita with the