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 Giles (Camden) 1878
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Giles District]
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( 38 )
Order 4.—Diseases of Nutrition.
Atrophy and debility caused 74 deaths.
CLASS V.—VIOLENT DEATHS, &c.
There were 36 deaths in the 4 orders of this class, the only one
to be commented on is—
Order 1.—Accident or Negligence.
There were 12 deaths from fractures, falls and contusions,
and 9 from suffocation, 8 being infants accidentally suffocated in
bed.
The various causes of death (under Class V.) returned by the
Coroner are more clearly set forth in the following table:—
Inquests.
Eighty-six inquests were held, 50 of the deaths were returned
from "natural" causes, 28 from "accidental" causes, and 8 from
"wilful" or "suicidal" causes.
18 of the deaths belonged to St. George, Bloomsbury;
47 „ „ St. Giles South;
21 „ „ St. Giles North.
The verdicts of the juries may be classified thus:—
| Cause of Death. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural causes. | Diseases of the heart, aorta and aneurism | 11 | |
| Diseases of the respiratory and pulmonary organs | 18 | ||
| Diseases of the brain and spinal cord | 14 | ||
| Diseases of the alimentary canal, liver and kidneys | 7 | ||
| Accidental causes. | Suffocation (1 adult and 8 infants) | 9 | |
| Fractures and contusions | Falls in the streets | 7 | |
| Falls down stairs | 4 | ||
| Fall off a hansom cab | 1 | ||
| Burn | 1 | ||
| Other causes | 6 | ||
| Wilful causes. | Hæmorrhage from cord, neglect at birth | 1 | |
| Fracture of skull from fall from a parapet 55 feet high | 1 | ||
| Suicidal causes. | Pistol shot through brain | 1 | |
| Haemorrhage from cutting arm with razor | 1 | ||
| Hanging | 1 | ||
| Wounds, &c. | 3 | ||
| Total | 86 | ||