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
Merton and Morden 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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DEATHS.
The number of registered deaths after adjustment by
transferable deaths is given below:—
1940—714 total deaths, of which 359 were males and
355 females.
1941—557 total deaths, of which 309 were males and
248 females.
1942—588 total deaths, of which 274 were males and
314 females.
The Seasonal mortality is indicated by the deaths for each
quarter of the year which were:—
1940—First quarter 222 Second quarter 120
Third quarter 148 Fourth quarter 224
1941—First quarter 197 Second quarter 124
Third quarter 148 Fourth quarter 137
1942—First quarter 122 Second quarter 18
Third quarter 48 Fourth quarter 80
Inquests. Inquests were held in the district on 30 deaths for 1940, 22 for 1941, and 22 for 1942. Verdicts were as
follows:-
| (1) Natural causes | 6 | |
| (2) Suicide by— | 5 | |
| Coal gas | 3 | |
| Rifle bullet wound of face | 1 | |
| Jumping in front of train | 1 | |
| (3) Accidental— | 14 | |
| Trichlorethylene Poisoning | 1 | |
| Knocked down by motor car | 3 | |
| Shock following extensive burns | 1 | |
| Falling downstairs | 2 | |
| Knocked down by train | 1 | |
| Falling from window | 1 | |
| Drowning | 2 | |
| Falling on footway | 1 | |
| Knocked down by motor cycle | 1 | |
| Fracture of skull caused by blow | 1 | |
| (4) In accordance with medical evidence— Murder by coal gas poisoning | 3 | 3 |
| (5) Death by misadventure— | ||
| Monoxide Poisoning from anthracite burner | 1 | |
| Death following operation | 1 | 2 |
| 30 | ||