[Origin and development of autopsy in Württemberg reflected by contemporary sources]

The present study deals with the introduction and the development of coroner's inquest in Württemberg. It could be shown that the contemporary discussion about the incidence of apparent death became an important reason for the establishment of necropsy in 1824. In spite of legal backing the institution of necropsy remained disputed until the end of the Kingdom of Württemberg in 1918. Above all, the differing qualification of the coroners gave rise to criticism. Although the legislator provided a general qualification in surgery, most the coroners did not boast a special expert knowledge. During the time in view, the participation of barber surgeons in necroscopy was decreasing; the percentage of physicians also remained very low. In 1911, only 119 out of 1814 coroners were physicians-on the other side 641 representatives of post-mortem examination worked as small-holders or day-labourers, and another 33 persons even earned their daily living by grave-digging. With regard to this, it is evident that the coroners in Württemberg formed a most heterogeneous group-both in social and in professional respect.