View report page

70
Inquests, &c.—Ten inquests were held during the
year. The verdicts may be grouped as follow:—
I. Natural (1) Heart Disease, 4; (2) Hemorrhage,
1 ; (3) Asthma, 1.
II. Accidental (1) Asphyxia, 1 ; (2) Injury, 2; (3)
Poisoning 1.
In one case the certificate of death was refused
by a Medical man who had not seen the patient alive.
As, however, the death is registered Whooping Cough, we
presume the Coroner used his prerogative, and decided
that the case was not one which called for an inquest.
This we conceive is likely to detract from the protective
value of a Coroner's court to the safety of life in the
community.
Sanitary Proceedings.—The sixth table in the
Appendix gives an epitome of the sanitary operations.
The amount accomplished will bear favourable comparison
with the other Sub-districts. It is particularly gratifying
to record the removal of so many as 16 piggeries
during the year. No appeal to the police court was
required during 1877. The cow and slaughter-houses
were duly inspected, and found unobjectionable.
D. C. NOEL,
Medical Officer of Health
for Streatham and Tooting.