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 1962

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]

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Table: 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 1962, are set out inthe following table : —

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 1962, are set out inthe following table : —

Details of Bodies ReceivedUsual Place of Residence
Batter-seaWandsworthElsewhereResidence unknownTotal
Post-mortem only21352017216921
Post-mortem and inquest34104488194
Total post-mortems247624220241,115
Inquest only—————
Total inquests34104488194
Sanitary and other reasons31——4
Total bodies received250625220241,119
Verdicts at Inquests held —
Accident and misadventure174234396
Alcoholism—2——2
Natural causes14117
Industrial disease—1——1
Open verdict252211
Suicide13487270
Homicide1———1
Referred to higher court—24—0
TOTAL34104488194

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In addition to the above, a further fifty-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 £850 per annum
towards the cost of maintaining the Mortuary.
The London County Council pay a rent of £525 per annum
use of the Coroner's Court.
A request was received from the Borough of Southwark as to the
use of the Battersea Mortuary to receive Southwark bodies during the
reconstruction of their own Mortuary. It was found possible to
in this way, and the Committee agreed to the request. Personnel from
the Southwark Mortuary were used to assist our own Mortuary Staff,
and this arrangement was found to be very satisfactory.