A prominent medical officer of health, having charge of a populous metropolitan parish, wrote to the author, October 8, 1895, in reply to inquiries:--“When a doctor attends a patient in an illness, and the patient dies, he usually accepts the word of the friends as to the facts of death, and if they are poor, or in moderate circumstances, he grants the certificate in the ordinary way. If he is satisfied as to the cause of death he dare not refuse the certificate. You will see by the form I send you that _he need not actually satisfy himself that the patient is dead_; if he is not satisfied he writes, ‘As I am informed,’ in the space left for the words.... On one occasion I was directed by a lady to drive a very long hat-pin through her heart after death, to ensure that she should not be buried alive. I have given so little attention to the matter that I cannot say if the Continental practice in this respect is better than ours. _Signs of decomposition are, I believe, the only ones of any real value._ The form of certificate of death referred to is marked, ‘Printed by authority of the Registrar-General,’ and a request marked ‘N.B.’ is to read the suggestions on page ii. In this other form, which is entitled ‘Suggestions to medical practitioners respecting certificates of the cause of death,’ elaborate instructions are set forth under ten separate clauses, with examples showing in what way the death-certificates are to be filled up, but not one word of instruction or caution as to the fact of death--whether it be real or apparent--the absolute signs of death, or the steps to be taken in doubtful cases, or in the various forms of suspended animation, such as coma, trance, catalepsy, etc.” The _Times_, January 19, 1878, p. 9, foot of column 6, reports a singular case in point:-- “PREMATURE.--A poor woman lay very ill in her scantily-furnished home in Sheffield. The doctor was sent for, and came. He at once saw that hers was a very grave case, and that she had, as he thought, little chance of recovery, even if she could get the nourishment her illness required. As he was about to leave, the question was put, ‘When should we send for you again, doctor?’ ‘Well,’ was the reply, as he looked at the poor woman and then at her wretched surroundings, ‘I don’t think you need send for me again. She cannot possibly get better; and to save you further trouble I’ll just write you out a certificate for her burial.’ And he did. After the doctor departed the woman--women always were wilful--got better rapidly. She has now completely recovered, and goes about carrying her burial certificate with her.--_Sheffield Telegraph._” [WORTHLESS DEATH-CERTIFICATES.]