A CORONER APPRECIATES HIS DUTY.

Instead of confining himself to a bald summary of the number of cases and the causes of deaths which came under his official cognizance during the year, Mr. Peter M. Hoffmann, coroner of Cook County, has introduced an innovation in his annual report. Contrary to the usual attitude of the ordinary public official, he recognizes that it is the duty of the coroner not only to hold inquests when violent deaths have occurred, but to make suggestions and recommendations which, if adopted, will diminish the number of fatal accidents. Mr. Hoffmann takes up the causes of violent deaths with special attention to the prevention of accidents. He recommends the collection of data showing the condition of the families of employés who have been killed by accident; advises that the city council pass an ordinance regulating the use of gas heaters, and so diminish the number of deaths from this source;