Bulled, Elizabeth 1890 August 23rd
An inquest was held at the Fisherton House Asylum on Tuesday, before Mr George Smith, the city coroner, touching the death of Elizabeth Bulled, one of the patients, who expired on Monday morning. Mr William C Wells was foreman of the jury.
Lily Hand was the first witness. She said she was one of the night nurses of the establishment, and the deceased was in her beat. She was so on Sunday night. She last saw her at four o’clock on Monday morning. At about two o’clock deceased was out of bed and witness put her in. Deceased was in the habit of getting out of bed during the night. At two o’clock she appeared to be the same as usual. She had been stronger latterly than formerly. She spoke to witness at two o’clock. She did not complain of anything. Witness did not see her between two and four. At four o’clock deceased was going to get out of bed, but witness told her to stay in. She remained in bed, and at six o’clock when witness went the round she appeared to be sleeping. Witness did not take any particular notice of her. Deceased was quiet. She had had a restless night and witness did not disturb her. Witness went off night-duty at half past six, thinking deceased was asleep. During the morning the day nurse told her that she was dead.
Bessie Palmer, also an attendant at the Asylum, said she commenced duty on Monday morning at half past six. She had the supervision of the same ward as Lily Hand. She saw deceased and thought she was sleeping. Witness first discovered that she was not asleep at half past eight. She went to call her to her breakfast and then found that she was dead. Witness at once sent for Dr Finch. When the doctor arrived he pronounced her to be dead.
Richard Tanner Finch, one of the medical attendants at the Asylum, attributed death to heart disease combined with old age. The deceased was 78 years of age. She was a married woman. Her husband was a naval pensioner. She had been in the asylum about eight and a half months. She had not been in any other asylum.
The jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 