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14
Wandsworth and East Battersea, an increase in the
number of deaths. The total mortality has risen from
4.0 to 4.2 per cent. of the cases treated.
Inquests, Uncertified Deaths, &c.— In all 137 inquests
were held during the year 1878. 74 in Battersea,
26 in Wandsworth, 15 in Streatham, 11 in Clapham, and 7
in Putney. They may be divided, according to the verdicts,
into:—
I. Accidental 55
II. Natural 67
III. Suicidal 11
IV. Murder 1
V. Execution 1
VI. Unknown 2
137
This constitutes nearly 4.2 per cent. of the total
deaths. There were 140 last year, making a rate of 5
per cent. nearly. We are glad to note a reduction in
those untoward events. Of the accidental deaths more
than a third were due to overlaying.
The number of Uncertified Deaths still continues to
rise; 38 occurred in Battersea, 9 in Clapham, and 1 in each
of the other Districts. In all, 50 persons have died and
were buried in one District, and nobody was able to say
what they died of; no medical man was in attendance,
and the Coroner thought it unnecessary to hold an inquiry
over any one of them. The fact that 50 human beings
can thus pass away without anything definite being known
regarding their mode of exit from the world, is, to say the
least, uncomfortable. The number of deaths thus unaccounted
for increases year by year. Every death not
certified should be made the subject of a proper inquiry.