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
Paddington 1900
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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76
[Appendix IV.
DEATHS FROM VIOLENCE
The deaths from violence of all forms numbered 68, viz., 37 of males and 31 of females,
including 52 from accidents ("open" verdicts are tabulated under accidents), 1 from homicide, and
15 from suicides. The suicides were 1 in excess of the decennial annual average (see
Table 20, p. 42).
Inquests.—Inquests were held with reference to 154 deaths of parishioners, being 5 fewer
than in 1899, and the same number as in 1898. The findings of the Juries and certain other
particulars are set out below:—
Inquests on Parishioners, 1900.
| Finding of Jury. | Paddington. | St. Mary. | St. John. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Causes | 85 | 70 | 15 |
| Misadventure | 1 | — | 1 |
| Accident | 48 | 41 | 7 |
| Manslaughter | — | — | — |
| Murder | 1 | 1 | — |
| Suicide | 15 | 12 | 3 |
| Open | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Totals | 154 | 126 | 28 |
The accidents were attributed to the following (among other) circumstances:—
| Vehicular traffic | 6 | Overlaid in bed (infants) | 11 |
| Railway traffic | 2 | Clothes on fire (not due to conflagrations) | 6 |
| Building operations | 3 | ||
| Drowning | ... | 2 |
The "open" findings were given in respect of 2 women found drowned in the canals and 2
new-born infants, 1 found in a Great Western Railway cloak-room, and 1 found in an enclosure off
a street. "Wilful murder" was returned in respect of a new-born infant found on the bank of
the canal.