§ 78. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the inquest on the body of Edmund John Taunton, who died in an institution of which he was an inmate whilst being forcibly fed through the nose; and whether, in view of the danger to life which is thus shown to be associated with forcible feeding, he will order the immediate discontinuance of the practice in His Majesty's prisons?
§ 84. Mr. W. THORNEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that an inmate of the Stafford Asylum died through forcible feeding; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ 85. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked whether his attention has been drawn to the inquest held by the Stafford coroner on the death of Edmund John Taunton, who died whilst being forcibly fed through the nose in an institution where he was a patient; and whether, in view of the danger to life which is thus shown to be associated with forcible feeding, he will order the immediate discontinuance of the practice in His Majesty's prisons?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have seen the evidence in the case referred to. The patient died of disease of the heart after artificial feeding. If he had been left without food his death would have been inevitable, and the medical authorities of the asylum (which was a hospital, not a county asylum) had therefore to take the risk of feeding him artificially. This course was clearly necessary and the jury so found. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.