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23
All the articles taken to the Board's disinfecting ohamber
were, previously to their removal, disinfected with sulphur to
remove infection from the surface of the articles, and thus
prevent risk of spreading the disease in carrying them through
the house and across the pavement to the truck. In some
cases not included in the table, the disinfection was performed
under the superintendence of the patient's medical attendant,
who certified to its efficiency.
The Mortuary.—The number of bodies received at the
mortuary was considerably in excess of those in former years,
as the numbers in 1886, 1887, and 1888 were 77, 75, and 113
respectively, but in 1889 they amounted to 155, of which 109
were removed by order of the coroner. I am informed that the
relatives of the dead who are of a better class prefer the
removal, as it saves them the trouble and annoyance of a visit
from the jury; and the jurors also much approve of it, as
they are often saved a long walk, and attending the inquest at
a public house; but the poor frequently do object. The
coroner pays the expense, and when a post mortem
examination is made, it is evidently far better that it should be
done at the mortuary than in a small and often dark room.
There have only been 7 bodies taken there by my order,
but several of those removed by the coroner's order were
retained in the mortuary until the funeral took place, as there
was not sufficient accommodation for safely keeping the body
in the houses from which they were moved. The deaths in
the other cases were caused as follows: from drowning 16,
including 5 suicides; by poison (suicides), 8; accident 1; fever
cases 2. These latter bodies were placed in the air-tight
receptacle, and the coffin screwed down before being brought
in, filled up with sawdust and a solution of bichloride of
mercury, so that no infection could be spread.
Artisans' Dwellings.—During the year I have inspected all
the dwellings occupied by the poorer classes, which from my
own knowledge, from complaints, or from information received