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
Kensington 1895
The annual report on the health, sanitary condition, &c., &c., of the Parish of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington for the year 1895
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During the year 304 bodies were deposited at the Public Mortuary, upon application, as follows:—
| 1. At the request of relatives of the deceased | 5 | ||
| 2. At the request of undertakers | 78 | ||
| 3. At the request of the Coroner(inquestcases) | |||
| Cases of sudden death | 127 | ||
| Cases of violent death | 47 | ||
| 174 | |||
| 4. Brought in by the Police | Found dead | 15 | |
| Accident cases | 6 | ||
| 21 | |||
| 5. On account of death due to infectious disease | 26 | ||
| 304 | |||
In 126 of the above cases, post-mortem examinations were
made by authority, principally under the Coroner's warrant.
The mortuary comprises two chambers, for infectious and
non-infectious bodies respectively, separated by " a place
provided for post-mortem examinations." This " place" is
designed " for the reception of dead bodies during the time
required to conduct a post-mortem examination ordered by the
Coroner "; who " may order the removal of a dead body to and
from such place, for carrying out such examination, and the
cost of such removal shall be deemed to be part of the
expenses incurred in and about the holding of an inquest."*
Too little use is made of the mortuary, and especially as a place
of deposit for the bodies of those who have died from infectious
disease. Medical men can effect the removal of the body, in
* Coroners' Act, 1887, sec. 24.
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