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28
External Causes. Accidents or negligence in various
ways have been ascribed as the cause of death in 49 cases, 11 of
which were in very young children who had been suffocated by
being overlain by their parents in bed. This also is a cause of
death which is pre-eminently one of the preventible class, and the
sooner that parents begin to realise, both that it is more healthy
for their children, and more comfortable for themselves, that a
young child should occupy a separate bed, whether in the shape
of a homely clothes basket or large drawer, or similar article, so
soon will this large number of deaths begin to decrease. Drowning
was the cause of death in 7 cases; Suffocation, otherwise than
being overlain in bed, in 5 cases; falls, accidents on railways, and
building operations, &c., 20; whilst burns, scalds and poisons also
occasion 6 deaths; suicide was ascribed as the cause of death
in 8 cases.
MORTUARY.
During this year the long-continued discussion and consideration
of the question of suitable Mortuary provision for the
Borough has at last been consummated by the erection and
opening for use of a Mortuary building on a site adjacent to the
Coroner's Court provided by the London County Council, this
Mortuary being provided with all the most modern and up-to-date
appliances, and providing, in every way, most satisfactory
accommodation. Shortly, it may be described as having its
accommodation divided into two portions, viz. : one for the
reception of infectious bodies, the other for the reception of general
cases. The infectious diseases department is provided with catacombs
for the reception of six bodies, and is adjacent to the
common viewing corridor, being provided with a large plate-glass
window, so that the jurymen and others whose duty it is to view