ABSTRACT
In May 1867, the Warwick Advertiser reported to its readers on the 'Sad Death of a Child'. 1 The newspaper account, which included a summary of the inquest proceedings, described how a local woman, Elizabeth Barnwell, had drowned her infant boy in the Warwick and Napton Canal while out walking. The story of the rescue of mother and infant from the water and the unsuccessful attempt to revive the child was recounted with dramatic effect. It was agreed that Elizabeth was attempting to destroy the infant, but the surgeon who had attended at the scene after the drowning explained to the coroner how the mother was at the time suffering 'great mental excitement'. After evidence was presented by various witnesses, it was agreed by coroner, surgeon, newspaper reporter and witnesses to the crime that, at the moment when Elizabeth plunged into the water, she was suffering from mentai derangement resulting from her recent childbirth. This was confirmed by the fact that there was no attempt at subterfuge or concealment on her part.
