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 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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Coroner's Court and Mortuary
Details as to the number of inquests held at the Coroner's Court, and bodies received into the Mortuary, during 1969, are set out in the following table :—
| Details of bodies received | Usual place of residence | Totals | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wandsworth | Merton | Elsewhere | Unknown | ||
| Post-mortem only | 660 | 289 | 143 | 18 | 1,110 |
| Post-mortem and inquest | 102 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 184 |
| 762 | 333 | 176 | 23 | 1,294 | |
| Inquest only | 3 | — | 2 | — | 5 |
| 105 | 44 | 35 | 5 | 189 | |
| Total bodies received | 765 | 333 | 178 | 23 | 1,299 |
| Verdicts at Inquests held— | |||||
| Accidental and misadventure | 45 | 20 | 21 | 3 | 89 |
| Alcoholism | 2 | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Natural causes | 4 | — | 1 | — | 5 |
| Open verdict | 5 | — | 2 | — | 7 |
| Suicide | 45 | 22 | 9 | 1 | 77 |
| Homicide | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Criminal Abortion | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| TOTALS | 105 | 44 | 35 | 5 | 189 |
In addition to the above, a further 69 inquests were held at
the Coroner's Court in respect of which no bodies were received
into the Mortuary.
Crematorium Regulations, 1930
Under these regulations, 2,005 cremations were authorized
during the year.
Transportation of bodies abroad
The bodies of persons normally resident abroad who have died
whilst visiting this country are sometimes transported overseas
for burial. Before this can be done, it is necessary to obtain a
certificate from the Medical Officer of Health of the district in
which the death has taken place to the effect that the deceased did
not die from any infectious or contagious disease, and that no
recent epidemic of such disease had occurred in the district.
During the year three such certificates were issued in respect of
persons who had died in Wandsworth.