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
Hampstead 1905
Report for the year 1905 of the Acting Medical Officer of Health
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102
TEMPORARY OFFICES.
In November, it was thought desirable to re-arrange the Offices
occupied by the Public Health Staff.
The matter was carefully considered by the Public Health Committee,
and the alterations suggested by them were carried into effect
with very beneficial results to the work of the Department.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During the year the bodies of 97 persons were brought to the
Mortuary as against 82 last year—57 by order of the Coroner, 26 by
the Police, and 14 at the request of friends of the deceased persons.
In 83 instances, or 85 per cent, of the bodies admitted, inquests
were held, and in 45 instances, or 46 per cent., post-mortem examinations
were made.
The following table indicates the causes of death of the persons whose bodies were received into the Mortuary:—
| Cause of Death. | Number of Bodies received. |
|---|---|
| Deaths from natural causes | 44 |
| Accidental deaths | 24 |
| Suicide | 14 |
| Neglect at birth | 3 |
| „ „ (Wilful Murder) | 1 |
| Misadventure | 10 |
| Found drowned | 1 |
| Total | 96 |
One of the bodies received at the Mortuary was that of a still born
child.
In 3 instances were the bodies of persons who had died from
infectious disease brought to the Mortuary.