Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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Drowned whilst bathing, and by the capsising
of a boat 2
Crushed or run over by horses and vehicles in the
public streets 3
Died suddenly, but from natural causes 2
Burned accidentally by falling into the fire* 1
Suffocated by mother, through pressure† 1
9
There were also registered three deaths, the causes of
which were not certified by medical testimony. In these
cases it would have been far more satisfactory had
inquests been held, since no practice can be more open to
objection, and for obvious reasons, than registration upon
vague statements, such as are likely to be made by the
relatives or friends of deceased persons who had received
no medical attendance.
Summary of Sanitary Proceedings.—Table VI. in the
appendix presents a summary of all the principal operations
carried out in the several Sub-districts. In the
column of the table relating to this Parish, will be found
a record of much accomplished sanitary work of a beneficial
kind, that of new sewerage, being as usual, amongst
the most important. In corresponding tables of former
reports for several years past, very extensive operations
in this direction have, with much satisfaction, been referred
to. The many miles of main and branch sewers which
have been constructed within the area of this Parish
(including the hamlet of Roehampton) since the Metropolis
Local Management Act was first put in force, were, it will
* It is to be much regretted that the endowment of the Alms Houses situated
in this parish, In which the case of death by burning occurred, does not permit of
the employment of one or more resident females, qualified to undertake the general
supervision of these aged people. The frequency of sudden and violent deaths in
this institution renders such an arrangement most desirable.
†The Coroner's Jury in this case returned a verdict indicative of an opinion that
the death of the infant was wilfully caused, but the evidence before the Grand
Jury did not appear to sustain so serious a charge, and the mother was consequently
not put upon her trial.