[Nell]

My 2 x great aunt Florence Purvey, who died in 1893.

Death cert says:

"died from shock to the system caused by perforation of the stomach and accelerated by congestion of the lungs"

Newspaper report:
"At an inquest held at Woodmancote, North Cerney, on the body of Florence Purvey, aged 13, who died rather suddenly, the medical evidence ,,, death was due to perforation of the stomach, caused by the gases generated by onion broth taken for supper".

Inquest evidence given by Emily Purvey (Florence's stepmother) was that Emily had onion broth and went to bed at 8.30 but woke at 1.00 crying with pain. Emily gave her brandy and cold tea, and later called her husband and a neighbour, Priscilla Gegg. Her husband summoned the doctor, William Doughty of Rendcombe and Florence died in his presence. He felt unable to issue a death certificate as he couldn't ascertain cause of death.

He performed a post mortem and found Florence had congestion of the lungs and a perforated stomach which he attributed to its being irritated by raisin stones.

Raisin stones? In onion broth? Perforated stomach caused by gases? Your thoughts please.