Reasons why the office of coroner should be held by a member of the medical profession / by Frederick W. Lowndes.

  • Lowndes, Frederick Walter.
Date:
[1892]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reasons why the office of coroner should be held by a member of the medical profession / by Frederick W. Lowndes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    To this were appended seventy signatures, including with very few exceptions, all the leading physicians, surgeons, and general practitioners of the city. More signatures would have been obtained, I was assured, had time permitted. Feeling very deeply such an ex- pression of confidence from my professional brethren, I felt bound not only to become a candidate, but to use every effort in my power to obtain the appointment. But I found it hopeless to persuade city councillors that any but a solicitor should have the office. Had not Mr. Sampson been elected, either Mr. Brighouse, or Mr. Lynskey, both of vphom are solicitors, would have obtained the vacant office. During the progress of the election, however, I received 22 votes, and am, I believe, the only member of my profession who has received any support whatever, on any previous occasion. I purpose in the following pages, to give the grounds upon -which medical candidates for the office of coroner base their claims. In doing so, I wish to disclaim entirely any hostile feeling to Mr. Sampson, the present coroner before whom I have already given evidence, and by whom I have been most courteously received. He has been duly elected, he may therefore rely upon my loyal assistance, and I am sure I may add upon that of any or all of my professional brethren, so far as our duties to him are concerned, and we wish him health and long life in his new sphere. Nor must I be understood as writing in any but friendly feelings towards the members of the legal profession. Belonging as I do to a family of soli- citors, I have the greatest respect to the profession as a body, and number amongst it many valued friends as well as relatives. Still less would I wish to reflect upon the late coroner, between whom and myself there always