London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Battersea 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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51
to deal with by normal hand spraying. A Microsol Mist Generator
has been purchased by the Council, and this fitting, having a small
motor unit, is capable of spraying a fine mist or fog of insecticide to
a distance of 50 feet, the mist settling out on to the surfaces of the duct
and the piping contained therein. This fitting is in use and is proving
very successful.
Coroner's Court and Mortuary. Details as to the number of inquests held at the Coroner's Court, and bodies received into the Mortuary, during 1959, are set out in the following table:—
| Details of Bodies Received | Usual Place of Residence | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batter- sea | Wandsworth | Elsewhere | Residence unknown | ||
| Post-mortem only | 202 | 533 | 168 | 8 | 911 |
| Post-mortem and inquest | 26 | 123 | 46 | 3 | 198 |
| 228 | 656 | 214 | 11 | 1109 | |
| Inquest only | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | 123 | 46 | 3 | 198 | |
| Sanitary and other reasons | 2 | 3 | — | — | 5 |
| Total bodies received | 230 | 659 | 214 | 11 | 1114 |
| Verdicts at Inquests held | |||||
| Abortion | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Accident and misadventure | 12 | 65 | 30 | 1 | 108 |
| Alcoholism | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 6 |
| Homicide | — | 2 | 4 | — | 6 |
| Industrial disease | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Infanticide | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Manslaughter | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Natural causes | — | 4 | 1 | — | 5 |
| Open verdict | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Suicide | 9 | 42 | 6 | 1 | 58 |
| total | 26 | 123 | 46 | 3 | 198 |
In addition to the above, thirteen inquests were held at the Coroner's
Court. No bodies were received into the Mortuary for these inquests.
The Wandsworth Borough Council made a grant of £500 per annum
towards the cost of maintaining the Mortuary.
The London County Council pay a rent of £525 per annum for the
use of the Coroner's Court.