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57
vomitus. Two elderly females died of burns arising from the
ignition of clothing caused by standing before an unguarded fire.
A male of 32 years died from the combined effects of barbiturate
and alcohol and a female of 65 years from nitrazepan intoxication.
Suicide—Contrary to general belief, suicide continues to claim
a substantial number of victims. In Engand and Wales, the number
of suicides during 1970 amounted to the formidable figure of
3,939, giving a rate of 0.08 per 1,000 population. Moreover, of this
total almost 22%, viz. 856, were recorded in London, giving a
rate of 0.11. These compare with 22 deaths and a rate of 0.10 for
Greenwich, figures showing minimal increases over those for 1969.
In this Borough, suicide was accomplished mainly by the
ingestion of drugs, a method particularly favoured by women (11
females to 2 males). Hanging accounted for 3 males and 1 female,
carbon monoxide poisoning for 2 males, burns for a further 2
males and a girl of 14 years threw herself from a window.
Figures for London in particular throw into relief a psychiatric
problem which is becoming very familiar in the cities of countries
which sustain high living standards, for deaths from suicide in the
Metropolis were almost treble those for tuberculosis and nearly
equalled the total deaths from road accidents.
Homicide—In respect of the two cases registered during 1970,
the victims were males of 30 and 43 years, their deaths being
attributed respectively to stab wounds of chest and lung and gunshot
wound of the head. Defendants in both instances were convicted
of manslaughter.
Common Infectious Diseases
There were no deaths registered during the current year from
diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough and
diphtheria, but 2 were recorded of male children, 11 and 20 months
respectively, from gastro-enteritis.