OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW, AND FELLOW LONDON: OWEN RICHARDS, LAW BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER, 194. FLEET-STREET. PREFACE. IN preparing the present volume for the press, the Author has in some respects deviated from the course pursued in other works on the same subject. The branch of Medical Jurisprudence had been very slightly, if at all treated of by the authors who have preceded him; but it occurred to him that a practical treatise on the office of Coroner could hardly be considered complete, without at least touching on matters some acquaintance with which the experience of each day renders necessary. He has therefore consulted the best works on Medical Jurisprudence, and from them endeavoured to form a general summary, which may perhaps point the attention of the medical Coroner in the course of his examination to matters which might otherwise escape his notice, and assist the non-medical Coroner in forming a proper estimate of the professional testimony brought before him. In this branch of the subject he has to acknowledge with gratitude the assistance of his |