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
City of London 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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46
DISINFECTION, &c., AT CITY MORTUARY.
5,399 articles of bedding, clothing, furniture, &c., were received at Golden
Lane and disinfected.
164 bodies were received at the Mortuary, pending interment; the number
for the three preceding years being 102, 98, 111.
Number of Articles disinfected, bodies received at the Mortuary, and Inquests held at the Coroner's Court in the City during 1902, compared with the average for the previous five years.
| Year. | Articles of Bedding, kc., disinfected. | Bodies received at the Mortuary. | Iuquests held on bodies. | Inquests held on Fires. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 5,075 | 131 | 68 | 3 |
| 1898 | 5,349 | 108 | 59 | 2 |
| 1899 | 9,175 | 102 | 49 | Nil. |
| 1900 | 4,100 | 98 | 61 | Nil. |
| 1901 | 5,527 | 111 | 77 | 1 |
| Average for previous five years | 5,845 | 110 | 63 | 1.2 |
| 1902 | 5,399 | 164 | 140 | 1 |
DISINFECTANTS.
In the Annual Report for 1900 reference was made to a projected scheme
of supplying the Cleansing Department with disinfectants in a concentrated
form.
This system— partially in use in 1901— was in full operation during 1902,
and the Superintendent of Cleansing (Mr. Keillor) states that it has effected
considerable economy in cost of cartage, this item alone having been reduced
from £76 in 1900, and £88 in 1901, to £l 2s. 6d. in the year under
review.
During the summer weather all main streets— and especially those paved
with wood— were liberally sprinkled, through the agency of water carts, with
a non-poisonous disinfectant solution, which was found admirably suited for