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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64 Medical Officers of Health Annual Report.
Males. Females. Total.
Brought forward 4 2 8
Accidental Causes—Suffocation from being
overlain 2 2 4
Drowning 1 — 1
Suffocation while in bed
alone 1 — 1
Syncope — 1 1
Suffocation from want of
attention at birth — 1 1
Homicidal—
Suicide— Drowning — 2 2
Open Verdict— 1 — 1
9 8 17
Seventeen inquests were held during the year, nine on
males and eight on females. Eight of these inquests concerned
the deaths of infants who were suffocated accidentally
while in bed. This either reveals gross carelessness
or intoxication on the part of their parents. The
number is very much in excess of what we have been
accustomed to have in this parish.
Scarlet Fever
Return Cases.
There were apparently one or two cases during
the year, but on closer examination of the
facts, I came to the conclusion that the second cases from
the same house were not the result of the return of cases
from hospital but were infected in other ways.
Sanitary
Work.
A large amount of useful sanitary work has
been carried on throughout the year. A Table
of the sanitary operations will be found in the combined
Report of the District. There has been a great increase
in the number of premises inspected. 3,625 houses were
inspected, compared with 2,896 during the previous year.
All notices were complied with after the first or second
notice, with the exception of two cases investigated by the
magistrate. 59 rooms were disinfected after the usual