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33
with slate slabs on which the bodies could rest and should also
be supplied with water and a hose.
The room for infectious cases should be provided with a glass screen so
that jurymen and other persons who are compelled to view the
bodies should not be exposed to infection, and it should preferably
be ventilated through the roof
The Mortuaries might, I think, with advantage, be placed on the
northern portion of the site where they would be removed from
persous seeking entrance to the gardens. They should not extend
to the boundary of the site, and the Mortuary for infectious
bodies should especially be set back.
There is some difficulty in deciding upon the amount of accommodation
which should be provided by a parish containing a quarter of a
million of persons It must be at once aocepted that if all bodies
which ought to be removed to a mortuary were sent to this
site, it would not accommodate anything like the number.
The Mortuary, therefore, must be looked upon as making a
beginning. If, in the future, more accommodation be required,
it would be better to erect it in the immediate neighbourhood
whence the demand comes. St. Pancras, indeed, is large enough
to have several rather than one Mortuary. The beginning, I
would propose is that a Mortuary should be built for about
eighteen non infectious bodies and for about twelve infectious
bodies. This would probably be sufficient for some time to
come.
In connection with the Mortuary there should be a room for the
examination of bodies, provided with a suitable table, sink,
lavatory, &c., and it would be a very great convenience and one
much calculated to further the ends of justice if a small additional
room could be given for the more minute examination of anything
which required such scrutiny. These rooms should have ample
light for such operations.
A small room would be very useful for mourners to meet in. These
per ons often walk to the Mortuary whence they follow the body,
and a room is required for them during the time of waiting.
A coffin room is also required for the purpose of storing shells.
A coach-house should be provided, which should accommodate a
hearse. The hearse I regard as an absolute necessity, for unless
the means are afforded for the removal of the dead to the
Mortuary, I believe the latter would be much less used thin the
Committee would wish. A stable for a horse is also desirable.
I do not know whether I am going beyond my province in suggesting
that some ground might be saved Dy the re-arrungement of the
present Workhouse Mortuary and coach-houses. If the coachhouse
for the hearse and ambulance could be placed ou this part