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 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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Table: Coroner's Court and MortuaryDetails of post-mortem examinations and inquests held at the Coroner's Court, and of bodies received into the mortuary during 1971, are set out in the following table:—TABLE 17

Coroner's Court and Mortuary

Details of post-mortem examinations and inquests held at the Coroner's Court, and of bodies received into the mortuary during 1971, are set out in the following table:—

TABLE 17

Details of bodies receivedUsual place of residenceTotals
WandsworthMertonElsewhereUnknown
Post-mortem only730334123261,213
Post-mortem and inquest8236387163
Total post-mortems812370161331,376
Inquest only31——4
Total inquests8537387167
Total bodies received815371161331,380
Verdicts at Inquests held—
Accidental/misadventure481521286
Alcoholism1——12
Natural causes5—117
Open verdict414110
Suicide25189254
Homicide233—8
TOTALS8537387167

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In addition to the above, a further 73 inquests were held at the
Coroner's Court in respect of which no bodies were actually
received in the mortuary.
Transportation of bodies abroad
The bodies of persons dying in this country, when normally
resident abroad, are sometimes transported overseas for burial. This
cannot be done without a prior certificate from the Medical Officer
of Health of the district in which the death has taken place to the
effect that the death was not due to infectious or contagious disease,
and that no recent epidemic of such disease had occurred in the
district.
One such certificate was issued during the year.