Comments on a Case of Fractured Ribs,

Extract

In the October number of the Asylum Journal, an account was given of an inquest that had been held at the Asylum for the county of Norwich, on a patient who had died, having at the time of hit decease, an ununited and undetected fracture of the ribs. For many reasons it was a case of great interest. First, the liability of such injuries to be inflicted before the patient is sent to the asylum, of which no information is given. Secondly, the probability of the injury remaining undetected at the time of admission or for a lengthened period afterwards. Thirdly, the probability of the injury being laid to the charge of ill-treatment in the asylum. Fourthly, the crimination and recrimination produced amongst the officers of the asylum by such imputations on imperfect evidence. Fifthly, the great difficulty that will always exist in fixing the time at which an injury wag inflicted by appearances observed at a long subsequent period.