East London Advertiser
Saturday, 7 April 1888.

SUDDEN DEATH AT THE WHITECHAPEL WORKHOUSE.

An inquest was held on Thursday at the Baker’s-row Infirmary, touching the death of Annie Milwood, aged 38. Thomas Badcock stated – I am the master of the Whitechapel Union Workhouse, South-grove. The deceased was admitted to the workhouse on the 21st ult., and on Saturday the 31st ult., my attention was drawn to her as she was then laying down in the corridor, apparent [sic] in a fit. I immediately telephoned to the infirmary for medical aid, and finding the case to be one of great urgency I procured the services of Dr. Wheeler, of Mile End-road, who came at once and pronounced life to be extinct. Dr. Arthur arrived shortly afterwards from the infirmary, and corroborated Dr. Wheeler, and I then placed her in a shell, and sent the body to the mortuary. She had never complained of feeling unwell, but on the other hand she seemed always in excellent spirits. Richard Sage, employed as a messenger at the workhouse stated – About 11:40 a.m. on the 31st ult., I was standing at the door conversing with the deceased, and my attention being called in another direction I turned my back to her, and after a space of three minutes I returned, to find her lying down with her face on the step. I acquainted the porter, who had her carried into the corridor. Dr. Arthur, assistant medical officer at the infirmary, having given evidence of the result of post mortem examination, the jury at once returned a verdict of death from natural causes.