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
Whitechapel 1887
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel]
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Fifty-eight deaths were by Coroners' Juries attributed to violence, they took place in the Registration Sub- . Districts, as follows:—
| Sub-District. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spitalfields | 10 | 23 | 33 |
| Mile End New Town | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Whitechapel Church | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Goodman's Fields | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Aldgate | 3 | 3 | 6 |
The age distribution of the above is subjoined: —
Under the age of 1 year, 15; between the ages of 1 and 5, 4;
8 between 5 and 20; 16 between 20 and 40; 9 between 40 and 60;
5 between 60 and 80; and 1 over the age of 80.
| Males. | Females. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffocation in bed (infants) | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| *Burns, Scalds, and Suffocation by Smoke | 2 8 | 15 | 23 |
| Drowning | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Run Over | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Falls and accidental injuries | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| Poison (Alcoholic) 1 Female; Carbolic Acid, 1 Female. | 2 | ||
Inquests.
A total of 319 Inquests were held in the District during the
year, of which number only 179 had reference to District residents.
I regret to report that we are not possessed of a
Mortuary—the only difficulty being the absence
of a suitable site upon which to erect it. We
are still indebted therefore to the Whitechapel Board of Guardians
for their co-operation when occasion requires such aid.
Model
Dwellings
The total deaths appertaining to this class of buildings in
the District amount to 158, which is equal to an
annual death rate per 1000 of nearly 18.
*Included in these were the 17 deaths which took place at a dramatic
performance at 3, Princes Street, Spitalfields, from fire and panic.