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67
the cause assigned for the suddenness of these events. Of
the remaining inquiries the verdicts in two instances were
somewhat vague, viz.:—"died in a fit" and "hæmorrhage
accompanied by latent syncope," though what that means
is not very plain, nor is it very clear from whence came
the haemorrhage that produced the latent faintness which
had so deplorable a result. There appears to have been
2 accidental deaths—one a case of asphyxia in bed (overlaying),
and one of an infant 3 years of age being run
over by a cart. No less than 5 deaths occurred and the
deceased persons buried without the causes of death being
certified by any medical attendant or attendants. It is to
be presumed that these cases were all of a character to
have needed some medical care and watching, and it is
deplorable to think that they did not obtain such. If any
of these deaths were too sudden to admit of the calling
in of medical aid, they surely, and for obvious reasons,
should have been made the subjects of the Coroner's
inquisition.
Sanitation of the Year, &c.—Referring my readers
to the introductory portion of our combined Report, it
will be found to embody my opinions on several matters
affecting the entire District, and I have only now to
remark upon the rather large amount of sanitation that
has been carried out during the year, and the pains
that have been taken to improve the Sub-district in
various ways (vide Table VI. Appendix). I should further
report that the usual inspection and supervisions of all
the Slaughter and Cow-houses within the Sub-district
were made with a satisfactory result, and that the
vigilance of the Surveyor and Inspector has been exercised
in getting condemned a quantity of fish and some meat
shown to be unfit for human food.
D. C. NÖEL,
Medical Officer of Health
for Streatham, Tooting, and Balham.
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