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from accidental asphyxia, one a female of 11 months who was
strangled by a harness in her pram. The remaining 2 cases concerned
females, one of 60 years who died from accidental barbiturate
poisoning and the other of 76 years whose demise was
attributed to traumatic rupture of the aorta.
Suicide—Contrary to general belief, suicide continues to claim
a substantial number of victims. In England and Wales, the number
of suicides during 1971 amounted to the formidable figure of
3,944, giving a rate of 0.08 per 1,000 population. Moreover, of this
total almost 20%, viz. 765, were recorded in Greater London,
giving a rate of 0.10. These compare with 25 deaths (15 males and
10 females) and a rate of 0.12 for Greenwich, both figures showing
marginal increases over those for 1970.
In this Borough, suicide was accomplished mainly by the
ingestion of drugs, a method particularly favoured by women
(8 out of a total of 10). Hanging accounting for 2 males and selfinflicted
injuries for a further 4, all but one being under 60 years
of age. In addition to 2 deaths arising from carbon monoxide
poisoning there was one from drowning and the swallowing of
corrosive liquids accounted for a further 2.
Against a background of rising world rates, that for England
and Wales has declined by over one-third since 1962. Up to a
decade ago, by far the most popular method of suicide was gas
poisoning which was then responsible for 50% of all suicides. It
would appear that our reduction could be related, inter alia, to
the switch to non-poisonous North Sea gas, the introduction of
anti-depressants and the influence of organisations such as the
"Samaritans".
Once again, 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. Deaths from
suicide in the Metropolis were almost treble those for tuberculosis
and nearly equalled the total deaths from road accidents.
Homicide—Two of the 5 cases registered during 1971 occurred
in the previous year. Four victims were males of 18, 20, 21 and
24 years, all dying of stab wounds. Defendants in 2 cases were
convicted of murder, one of manslaughter and one was discharged.
The remaining case concerned a girl of 10 years who died as a
result of an assault by a man cohabiting with her mother—he was
convicted of murder.
Common Infectious Diseases
There were no deaths registered during the current year from
diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough and
diphtheria, but a female of 7 months died from acute
enteritis.