A 38-YEAR-OLD heroin addict was the thinnest man a doctor had carried out a post-mortem on in his whole career, an inquest heard.

Mark Cordina died at home in Normandy Close, Sydenham, on October 4 last year after a long struggle with his addiction and undiagnosed Tuberculosis.

The former mechanic fitter, unable to work since 2002, began having chest problems in 2003.

After refusing treatment on several occasions and only contacting doctors at The Vale Medical Centre, Perry Vale, Forest Hill, by telephone, his condition worsened and made him unable to eat properly.

Mum Geraldine told Southwark Coroner's Court: "In the evenings I would make ham, egg and chips and a milkshake, but he'd never eat it all.

"When he had anything big, he couldn't breathe properly, so he would only have small amounts."

Two days before Mr Cordina's death, he was violently sick but refused to be taken to hospital.

Ms Cordina added: "The surgery faxed a script to the chemist to stop him being sick and said they would send a doctor if he did not get better.

"But the next day he seemed okay and we spent most of the evening watching television."

He woke his mum at 5.30am on the following morning, asked for a drink and then went back to bed.

Ms Cordina said: "I went back at about 9am and he was just lying there, cold and not breathing.

"I shook him, screaming to wake him up, but I knew he was dead."

Doctor Peter Jarreat, who performed Mr Cordina's post-mortem, said: "He was suffering from severe malnutrition.

"This, combined with the pulmonary TB, was a contributory factor in his death.

"TB would have been the reason for the malnutrition.

"I don't think I've seen a body that emaciated in my whole career."

Coroner John Sampson said Mr Cordina had declined intervention from the ambulance service.

He added: "I conclude the cause of death is natural cause."