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
St Pancras 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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53
MORTUARY AND CORONER'S COURT.
These buildings are situated in Cambridge Street, at the rear of St. Pancras Gardens
Extensive improvements have been made in connection with the Mortuary during recent
years, and it is now a satisfactory and well equipped building.
During the year 1931, a number of improvements were carried out to the Coroner's
Court. The work included the provision of a separate entrance to the Coroner's Office, the
installation of electric heating and provision of additional sanitary accommodation. A room
for the Coroner's Officers and a separate room for female witnesses were also provided.
Improvements were also made in connection with the lighting, heating and seating arrangements
of the Court.
In view of the expenditure incurred, the existing lease was cancelled and a new lease
of the Court was granted to the London County Council at an increased rental.
It is now provided that the use of the Court is not to be restricted solely to the
investigation of deaths occurring within the Borough of St. Pancras. This proviso was
doubtless desired on account of the recent re-arrangement of Coroners' districts by the London
County Council.
Permission to make an increased use of the Mortuary and Post-mortem room in
connection with cases occurring outside the Borough was not included. There has, however,
been a growing tendency to make use of this accommodation for ex-St. Pancras cases, and,
if not curtailed, this matter will require consideration.
The following table, which gives particulars concerning the number of inquests held, number of bodies received and post-mortem examinations made during each of the past five vears, shows the increase which has occurred owing to the re-arrangement of Coroners' districts above mentioned : —
| 1927. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. | 1931. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of inquests held | St. Pancras Cases | 156 | 165 | 158 | 155 | |
| Ex-St. Pancras Cases | 91 | 98 | 97 | 118 | ||
| Number of bodies received | St. Pancras Cases | 182 | 215 | 250 | 218 | |
| Ex-St. Pancras Cases | 38 | 28 | 26 | 63 | ||
| Number of post-mortem examinations made | St. Pancras Cases | 135 | 178 | 190 | 173 | |
| Ex-St. Pancras Cases | 23 | 19 | 16 | 34 | ||
| Totals | 625 | 703 | 737 | 761 | ||
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA.
Inspections.—75,525 visits and inspections were made in 1931 by the Council's staff of
Inspectors and Health Visitors.
Of these inspections, 52,127 were made by the District Sanitary Inspectors, 9,431 by
the Inspectors of Food and Food places, 6,903 by the Inspectors of Factories and Workshops,
and 7,064 by the Women Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors (for Tuberculosis).
The inspections dealt with above are exclusive of the visits in connection with the
health of expectant mothers and young children made by the Council's staff at the Maternity