London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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St Pancras 1932

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]

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The following figures for the past year, kindly supplied by Mr. E. W. Swinstead, m.i m. & cy.e ., the Borough Engineer, give some idea of the enormous amount of refuse to be dealt with. For the purpose of comparison the figures for the previous year are also given:—

1932.1931.
Tons.Tons.
Quantity of refuse collected5364658086
Quantity of refuse burnt at Destructor3479936339
Quantity put on rail1884121832
Quantity of clinker residual1054512366

MORTUARY AND CORONER'S COURT.
These buildings are situated in Cambridge Street, at the rear of St. Pancras Gardens.
Extensive improvements have been made in connection with the Mortuary during recent
years, and it is now a satisfactory and well equipped building.
During the year 1931, a number of improvements were carried out to the Coroner's
Court. The work included the provision of a separate entrance to the Coroner's Office, the
installation of electric heating and provision of additional sanitary accommodation. A room
for the Coroner's Officers and a separate room for female witnesses were also provided.
Improvements were also made in connection with the lighting, heating and seating arrangements
of the Court.
In view of the expenditure incurred, the existing lease was cancelled and a new lease
of the Court was granted to the London County Council at an increased rental.
It is now provided that the use of the Court is not to be restricted solely to the
investigation of deaths occurring within the Borough of St. Pancras. This proviso was
doubtless desired on account of the recent re-arrangement of Coroners' districts by the London
County Council.
Permission to make an increased use of the Mortuary and Post-mortem room in
connection with cases occurring outside the Borough was not included, and there has been
a growing tendency to make use of this accommodation for ex. St. Pancras cases. The
attention of the London County Council has been directed to the matter and the subject is
still under consideration.

The following table, which gives particulars concerning the number of inquests held, number of bodies received and post-mortem examinations made during each of the past five years, shows the very great increase which has occurred in ex. St. Pancras cases, owing to the re-arrangement of Coroners' districts above mentioned:—

1928.1929.1930.1931.1932.
Number of inquests heldSt. Pancras Cases165158155101121
Ex-St. Pancras Cases9897118260443
Number of bodies receivedSt. Pancras Cases215250218222242
Ex-St. Pancras Cases282663374571
Number of post-mortem examinations madeSt. Pancras Cases178190173175206
Ex-St. Pancras Cases191634229415
Totals70373776113611998