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
Battersea 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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49
Coroner's Court and Mortuary.
Details as to the number of inquests held at the Coroner's Court,
and bodies received into the Mortuary, during 1956, are set out in
following table:—
| Details of Bodies Received | Usual Place of Residence | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battersea | Wandsworth | Else-where | Residence unknown | ||
| Post-mortem only | 163 | 387 | 192 | 38 | 780 |
| Post-mortem and inquest | 25 | 86 | 32 | 2 | 145 |
| 188 | 473 | 224 | 40 | 925 | |
| Inquest only | — | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | 86 | 32 | 2 | 145 | |
| Sanitary and other reasons | — | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Total bodies received | 188 | 477 | 224 | 40 | 929 |
| Natural causes | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Accident and misadventure | 12 | 36 | 21 | — | 69 |
| Open verdict | — | 7 | 3 | — | 10 |
| Suicide | 11 | 34 | 1 | 50 | |
| Homicide | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 |
| Alcoholism | — | — | — | 1 | |
| Industrial disease | — | — | 2 | ||
| Self-induced abortion | — | — | — | ||
| TOTAL | 25 | 86 | 32 | 2 | 145 |
In addition to the above, thirty-five inquests, including an inquest
on thirteen fatalities resulting from the Barnes railway accident occurring
in December, 1955, were held at the Coroner's Court. No bodies were
received into the Mortuary for these inquests.
The Wandsworth Borough Council made a grant of £475 towards
the cost of maintaining the Mortuary.
The London County Council pay a rent of £450 for the use of
the Coroner's Court.