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Mapp asked him if he would like some tea in the morning, and he said "Yes"; Mapp said he would send him some, and I and Mapp left. My next visit was at half past 12, and I inquired from the window if all was right. I heard a reply, “all right,” but it was not Hurdle who spoke. I then asked if Hurdle was worse, and a reply was made in a very low tone of voice, "No." I did not recognize the voice. I then went away. About twenty minutes after 3 o'clock I was called, and was awaked by Marshall, one of the warders, and he and I proceeded to the hospital, and, on going inside, I found that Hurdle was dead. I had seen Hurdle on previous occasions in hospital; I did not think he looked worse on this last occasion than on the previous ones. There is no regular nurse to the hospital, but such duties are performed by the warders. I have been connected with the Town Hall Gaol for over five years, and have never known of there being a nurse in the hospital.
(Signed) C. M. BUTLER.
James Henry Marshall states, I am the first turnkey at the Town Hall Gaol. I remember Hurdle. remember that he went into hopsital on the morning of the 22nd July last; he was seen by the doctor soon after, and I was present along with Mapp when Hurdle was taken before the doctor. He walked in and stood before the doctor, who asked him what was the matter, and Hurdle said he had Demerara fever in his head. The doctor said " All right,” go; and Hurdle turned away; I am positive that this is all that passed.
To the Commissioners.—Mr. Mapp asked the doctor if anything was to be given to Hurdle, and the doctor said "No." Mapp then took him back to the hospital. Í am positive that the doctor never directed any thing to be applied to Hurdle's head.
(Signed) JAS. H. MARSHALL.
N.B. This witness commenced making such contradictory statements, that we felt we could put no reliance in what he said.
Charles Hutson states that I am a Physician Surgeon. I was called upon to make ⚫ a post-mortem examination of the body of Henry Hurdle. I did so on the day the inquest was opened (26th July). His body was extremely emaciated, the bones being very prominent, and the abdomen, checks, and eyes deeply sunken: no fat was found throughout the whole investigation, save a little on the walls of the heart; there was a scar on the right instep. I should say he was 50 years of age or thereabouts. On opening the chest I found traces of old inflammation about the heart; there were also marks of similar inflammation of the membrane covering the lungs; the left lung was congested, and the right one considerably diseased. The right lung displayed the phenomena of inflammation in three distinct stages, showing that it had commenced in the lower part and gradually extended upwards. This was a case of simple inflammation and not tubercular. I have no doubt that this disease existed on 22nd July. It is quite possible that in spite of the existence of this disease on the Thursday (22nd) the symptoms of illness may have been so comparatively slight as not to have attracted an ordinary or careless observer, a very slight professional examination must have discovered the disease, and this disease was the immediate cause of death. I found the stomach was empty and the intestines nearly so, from which I inferred that he must have taken very little solid food for several days previous to his death.
I have no doubt that the absence of proper medical treatment, and the want of proper and suitabte nourishment would have accelerated his death.
(Signed)
C. HUTSON.
William Clarke states, that I am a Physician and Surgeon, and the Medical Officer for the Town Hall Prison. I remember that Hurdle was brought to me on the 22nd July last; he complained merely of headache, I thought that I had ordered that his head should be kept wet with cold water, but as Mr. Mapp, the gaoler, is quite positive that I did not give such a direction, I will not be certain on the point. I did not discover at the time that Hurdle had inflammation of the lungs. He was brought to me that morning from the hospital between eight and nine o'clock, and as I did not order him dismissed, he remained there as a matter of course. I heard no more about him until his death was announed to me. It is customary whenever patients in the hospital get worse, for me to be apprised of it. It is not my practice to note in the journal anything with regard to the treatment of patients beyond prescriptions. I was not present at the post-mortem, nor did I ever see him after his death. He was a man probably between fifty and sixty years of age; and was very thin in appearance. I saw nothing about him on the 22nd July
75
which I thought called for a visit from me before the usual periodical one, which would have been on the Monday following. If I had examined his chest on the 22nd, I should no doubt have discovered the inflammation of the chest which was present; but I did not examine his chest, as there was nothing to attract my attention to that particular part of the body. I am of opinion that there should be a regular nurse attached to the hospital. I was not asked to be present at the post-mortem, and I did not remain for it as I had other calls to attend to.
(Signed) W. CLARKE, M.D.
Note.-During Dr. Clarke's examination he made the statement which is alluded to on fifth page of the Report, but which we find we omitted to include in the evidence above signed by him.
Sir,
(Signed)
J. SEALY, Jun.
B. INNES.
h
F. B. SMITH.
Inclosure 2 in No. 11.
Colonial Secretary's Office, August 21, 1875.
I AM directed by the Administrator to forward you extracts from the Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the death, in the Town Hall Gaol, on the 26th July last, of a prisoner named Henry Hurdle. If you wish to make any remarks upon these extracts, His Excellency will be happy to receive them. I am also directed to inform you that, if you desire it, you can peruse the whole Report at this Office.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
William Clarke, Esq., M.D.,
Medical Surgeon, Town Hall Prison.
FREDK. WATTS, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Tweedside, August 27, 1875.
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication covering "extracts from the Report, &c.," and in reply to state, for the information of the Administrator, that Hurdle, at the time of his having been seen by me, complained only of his head, and was treated accordingly; that I do not believe he was suffering at the time from disease of the lungs which I should have discovered had he been so suffering-as he must have shown symptoms of such disease before the evening of the night on which he died, up to which time he only complained of his head; had be complained after I saw him, I should have been informed of it, as is usual in such a case, and conse- quently visited him. When disease of the lungs seizes the patient, it is very rapid in its progress, and much more so in such a weak person as Hurdle. I therefore wholly differ from the opinion given of the medical gentlemen, that he was suffering from the attack of which he died when I saw him. I am free to admit that I may have, examined him more minutely when I saw him; but there was nothing to indicate that he was ill, and if I am to be blamed for this inadvertence, it is the first time during the thirty-six years I have been the Medical Officer of the Gaol that any blame could be attached to me. I have ever striven to perform the duties faithfully and diligently, and shall continue to do so.
Trusting that the unavoidable delay in answering your communication will not be deemed disrespectful to his Excellency the Administrator,
I have, &c. (Signed)
Frederick Watts, Esq.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Inclosure $ in No. 11.
Memorandum for Dr. Clarke.
WM. CLARKE, M.D.
I HAVE received Dr. Clarke's reply, of the 27th instant, to the extracts from the report of the Commissioners on the subject of the death of Henry Hurdle in the Town Hill Gaol, on the 26th ultimo.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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