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
St Luke 1899
Report on the sanitary condition, vital statistics, &c., of the Parish of St. Luke, Middlesex for the year 1899
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time had reason to doubt its correctness, more especially of those
persons who have died in the various establishments belonging to
the Holborn Union, and who are for the most part simply described
in the list as of "St. Luke's." The result of enquiries
has been to prove that my doubts have been well founded, and
that not more than 20 per cent, of the cases described as of
St. Luke's really belong to this Parish.
Inquests.
One hundred and thirty-six Inquests were held on the bodies of
parishioners during the year, being at the rate of 11.8 per cent,
of the total deaths. Eighty-seven enquiries (6 being as to the
cause of death of non-parishioners) took place at the Coroner's
Court belonging to this Parish, and the cause of death was
ascertained by post-mortem examination in 63 instances.
The remaining 49 enquiries were held at Hospitals and Institutions
outside our parochial area.
Of the total Inquests the verdicts were recorded as follows:—
| Deaths due to Natural Causes | 68 |
| ,, Exposure and Privation | 3 |
| Accident or Neglect— Deaths due to Injuries the result of blows, falls, &c. | 13 |
| ,, ,, from burns, scalds, &c. | 8 |
| ,, ,, ,, being run over | 5 |
| ,, Accidental Poisoning | 2 |
| „ Drowning | 1 |
| ,, ,, Bone in Gullet | 1 |
| ,, Misadventure while under Chloroform | 1 |
| ,, Suffocation—while in bed with parents | 14 |
| ,, Alcoholic excesses | 16 |
| Suicide by Poison | 1 |
| ,, Rifle Shot | 1 |
| ,, Throwing herself from window | 1 |
| Murder by Strangulation | 1 |
| 136 |