Anne Scutt 1828-ca 1863

[Father:labourer of Throop.] [Census 1841 Dorset - Jane Scutt b:c1836.] [Sherborne Mercury - Tuesday 25 August 1863 Dorchester, 3 months, Inquest. - Alleged Wrong - Treatment by a Medical Man. Considerable excitement was caused in the village of Coombe Keynes, on Tuesday and Wednesday, by rumours that a young woman named Ann Scutt, a domestic servant recently in the employ of Mr. Nathan, surgeon, of Weymouth, had met with her death from wrong treatment by Mr. Nathan. An inquest was therefore held on Wednesday at Coombe, before the coroner, Giles Symonds, Esq. Mr. Howard, of Weymouth, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Nathan. The first witness called was Ann Scutt, the mother of the deceased, who stated that she and her husband lived at Coombe. On Monday week her daughter came home from Mr. Nathan's, after being in his service a year and nine months. She complained of a pain in her side and stomach, and of being unwell. She continued until Saturday without having any medical advice, but on that day Mr. Granger, surgeon, was sent for. Deceased had been taking medicine, which she brought from Weymouth. The medicine consisted of a mixture and some pills. She was sick all the time, and complained of getting thinner and thinner. Mary Scutt, sister to the deceased, stated that she slept with her up to Sunday night, and that she had seen her take the medicine, which she brought home with her. Deceased was very sick and relaxed in her bowels after the medicine. Thomas Scutt, deceased's brother, proved that after his sister's death he took charge of the medicine, and afterwards gave it to Supt. Eeles, according to Mr. Granger's wish. Had heard deceased complained of a pain in her side, and he was anxious that Mr. Granger should see her, but she refused, saying, "No, no, I don't think I shall. I have some medicine from nay master, and when I get a little better I shall go to Mr. Nott, at Bere". Superintendent Eeles proved receiving the medicine from last witness, and giving it to Mr. Granger, who having tasted it, returned it to witness: Henry Nathan said he was formerly in practice at Weymouth, and the deceased had been his servant. She had been suffering from ill-health for some time, and went home on Monday week in consequence of his wishing it. She had never been well since she was confined, about two years ago he attended her then at her particular request, although at that time he had relinquished practice. Had known her about ten years, and had attended her when she was at service in a former situation for bilious attacks and irregular action of the heart. When she left to go home he made up some medicine for her, and he believed that now produced was the same. The pills contained six grains of calomel, and two scruples of compound rhubarb, divided into twelve pills. The mixture was composed of six drachms of sulphate of magnesia, peppermint water, and one half drachm of compound spirit of lavender, to be taken in six doses as required. It was an ordinary mild antibilious aperient, and was the proper medicine for a person troubled with sickness and constipation; Deceased was suffering from a low bilious fever, and she was one of the most delicate constructed woman he had ever seen; a poor nervous creature, delicately organised, with small face and features. He had taken her into his service from mere charity, but she was not treated as a menial. He had prescribed for her the same medicine before. The label on the bottle was not written for her, but deceased was well acquainted with the manner in which it was to be taken. William Granger, surgeon, of Wool, said he was sent for to attend deceased on Saturday. He found her dying, and beyond the reach of medical assistance. He then went on to East Lulworth but called again on his return home and found her sensible, but she had not been so before. He enquired where the pain was, when deceased put her hand on her stomach, and from what he could understand she meant that her spirits were bad or broken. He replied that there must be some cause for this, but she made no answer, - He told her mother that this was a most curious case, and that he should not be able to give a certificate, but if she could get one from Mr. Nathan, well and good. Deceased's mother showed him the medicine, but he thought it strange that deceased should take such medicines, especially when she was so relaxed. He believed the pills contained calomel and the mixture salts. The medicine was adapted for a person suffering from a bilious attack or constipation. He believed her blood was in a very bad state. She was not in the family way. Edward Mercer, surgeon off Wareham, said he had made a post mortem examination of the body, and was opinion that death was caused by pleurisy of no recent date. He found sufficient to show that death was from natural causes. He believed the foundation of the medicine was Epsom salts. Assuming the pills and mixture to be composed of what was described above, he considered the medicine was proper for anyone suffering from biliary derangement, with constipation. The Coroner briefly summed up, remarking that the medical evidence was so lucid as to death being the result of natural causes, that there was not the' slightest imputation on the medical man who had given deceased the medicine. The jury immediately returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."]