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Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
It is noteworthy that the Inland Revenue Acts throw the burden and responsibility
of making a thorough inspection of houses, with a view to the levying of Imperial
taxes, upon the Local Authorities.
No definition, moreover, is given, of what is meant by the somewhat vague and
elastic expressions " suitable accommodation " and " sanitary requirements," the
interpretation of these phrases being left to the judgment of the individual Medical
Officer of Health.
Alcohol.
The drink problem nowhere presses for solution with more urgency than in a
poor and crowded district such as St. George's, Southwark. It seems likely,
judging from the general trend of public opinion, that the question of environment
has much to do with the alcoholic craving of the individual.
This view of the subject has been fully dealt with in an article written by
Dr. David Walsh and myself, and published in the "North American Review." The
importance of the matter has led me to reprint the above-mentioned contribution,
which will be found at page 33 of thejAppendix.
Mortuary and Coroner's Court.
Two hundred and seven bodies were removed to the parish mortuary during the
year 1895, as against 190 in 1894, 236 in 1893, and 191 in 1892.
This number includes bodies brought from the St. George's Workhouse.
Post-mortem examinations and inquests were held in 92 cases, and inquests
alone in 30 cases.
During 1895 sixteen young children were suffocated whilst lying in bed with
their parents, as against 20 in 1894. This lamentable loss of life might have been
prevented had these unfortunate children slept in cots.
The following list shows the particular morning upon which the above-mentioned
sixteen infants were found suffocated in bed :—
Sunday Mornings 5
Monday ,, 2
Tuesday ,, 1
Wednesday ,, 8
Thursday ,, 1
Friday ,, 1
Saturday ,, 8
Total 16
The provision of a separate chamber for the deposit of infectious bodies—suggested
in my reports for 1893 and 1894—has been put into effect during the latter
portion of the year.
At the same time, the ventilation of the mortuary has been improved, and seven
bodies of those who have died from infectious diseases have already been deposited
in the chamber set apart for such purpose.
A copy of the new Regulations for the Mortuary may be found on page 50 of the
Appendix.