London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wandsworth 1889
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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Fifteen inquests were held with the following results:-
| Natural | Heart Disease | 3 |
| Convulsions | 3-6 | |
| II. Accidental | Fracture of Skull, found dead on railway | 1 |
| Injuries to head from goods train | 1 | |
| Internal injuries, knocked down and trodden on by a horse | 1 | |
| Fracture of skull, fall from window | 1 | |
| Concussion of brain from fall | 1 | |
| Injuries to chest | 1 | |
| Burns by hot poker | 1—7 | |
| III. Suicidal | Injury to brain, pistol shot | 1 |
| Drowning | 1—2 | |
| 15 | ||
Uncertified
Deaths.
| Probably Convulsions | 2 |
| ,, Syncope | 1 |
| „ Epilepsy | 1 |
| ,, Peritonitis | 1 |
| ,, Diarrhoea | 1 |
| ,, Senile Decay | 2 |
| „ Rupture cf blood vessel | 1 |
| ,, Marasmus | 1 |
| 10 |
It is in contemplation I believe to provide a mortuary
for Streatham as soon as a suitable site can be found.
The present arrangements in case of sudden death from
natural or accidental causes are very unseemly, the body
is taken to the nearest public house there to await an inquest,
and should the Coroner order a post mortem examination
it has to be carried out under difficulties ; this
plan ought to give place to one more decent and orderly,
and a mortuary answers to this description, it might fulfil
moreover another requirement, viz :—that of a receptacle
for the bodies of those who have died of contagious
diseases. Some years ago I recommended a
mortuary but the site then thought of could not be obtained.
sanitary A summary of the usual and principal sani-
Proceedings.
tary works of the year may be seen in table
XI. which shows that a large amount of work has been