The circumstances attending the death of Horace Edward Bates, aged four months, the child of John Thomas Bates, a laster, of 15, Church-street, Rushden, were the subject of an inquest at the Council Buildings, Rushden, on Monday, by Mr J C Parker, deputy coroner.

Mr John Sargent was foreman of the jury.

In opening the inquiry the Coroner said it appeared the child had not been well for some time. On Monday it awoke about 3a.m. and was fed by the mother, and it then went to sleep again, the mother taking it on her arm. She woke again about 7.30 and found the child dead.

Mrs Bates, wife of J T Bates, said deceased, her son, had had a cough for some weeks. On Sunday night when she undressed him he was somewhat “stuffy” at the chest. She applied camphorated oil, and then he seemed better. She put him in the cradle. He took his food all right. He went to bed with them at 12.30. Just after 3a.m. he woke up and was given his bottle, warmed. His chest seemed about the same as when they went to bed. Witness put him on her left arm on the outside of the bed. He was wrapped in a blanket. She then went to sleep. About 7a.m. she woke and found the child in the same position. The bedclothes were not over his head. She tried to rouse him and found he was dead. He was quite warm.

The father of the child said his wife called his attention to deceased several times after 10p.m. as it seemed to have a cold on the chest. They sat up till 12.30 partly because the child was not well, and partly because they had some friends staying there. He though it would be as well to wait till morning before sending for a doctor for the child.

Mr George Bayes (a juror) suggested there would be a great difference in the temperature of the rooms.

Witness said they had not a fire in the bedroom but they had the gas burning.

Dr Baker said he saw the child shortly after 8a.m. It was lying on the side of the bed and was quite dead. It was a weakly puny child. Death was probably due to heart failure. That was no doubt due to suffocation caused by the blanket being thrown over it.

The Coroner: No doubt that taking the child from a hot stuffy room to a cold bedroom would affect it?

Dr Baker: Yes.

Verdict: “Death from accidental suffocation.”