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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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56
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 1961, are set out inthe following table:—
| Details of Bodies Received | Usual Place of Residence | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battersea | Wandsworth | Elsewhere | Residence unknown | ||
| Post-mortem only | 184 | 526 | 121 | 4 | 835 |
| Post-mortem and inquest | 21 | 80 | 34 | 1 | 136 |
| 205 | 606 | 155 | 5 | 971 | |
| Inquest only | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| 21 | 81 | 34 | 1 | 137 | |
| Sanitary and other reasons | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 |
| Total bodies received | 207 | 608 | 155 | 5 | 975 |
| Verdicts at Inquests held— | |||||
| Accident and misadventure | 11 | 47 | 22 | — | 80 |
| Alcoholism | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Natural causes | — | 2 | 2 | — | 4 |
| Open verdict | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 7 |
| Suicide | 9 | 26 | 7 | 1 | 43 |
| Homicide | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Referred to higher court | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 81 | 34 | 1 | 137 |
In addition to the above, a further forty-three inquests were held
at the Coroner's Court in respect of which no bodies were received
into the Mortuary.
The Wandsworth Borough Council made a grant of £500 per annum
towards the cost of maintaining the Mortuary.
The London County Council pay a rent of £525 per annum for the
use of the Coroner's Court.