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12
FATAL HOME ACCIDENTS
During the year under review, there were 9 fatal home accidents
to Enfield residents, being 6 less than the previous year. All of
these accidents occurred amongst elderly people, 4 being over
80 years of age and 5 between 69 and 80 years of age.
The precipitating cause of death in 6 cases was a fall leading
in most instances to fractured bones and followed usually by lung
complications.
Of the remainder, 2 females died from accidental coal gas
poisoning and one female from asphyxia due to drowning in a
domestic bath.
The number of fatal Road Accidents to Enfield residents
during the year was 8.
Unfortunately there were also 9 (4 male, 5 female) cases of
suicide, 4 of which were in the 35-50 years age group and 5 were
over the age of 50. The method adopted in 5 cases was coal gas
poisoning. It is disquieting to consider the sum total of human
misery recorded in these paragraphs, and to ponder over the fact
that so much could, and should, be prevented.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 AND 1951.
No action was necessary during the year under these Acts.
Such cases as were brought to the notice of the Health
Department were dealt with by the Medical Officer of Health in cooperation
either with the Medical Practitioners or Welfare Officer,
and the patients voluntarily agreed to go to Hospital or suitable
Institution. Most old people show a natural reluctance to leave
their homes, which sometimes consist of a single room in a dirty
and unhygienic state owing to their inability to look after the
premises. Some should not be living alone, and although we must
not be hasty to criticize, there appears to be in some cases a need
for the awakening of responsibility of the family to its aged members.
In some instances, where reluctance to leave their homes is
encountered, provision of Home Help and District Nurse Services
can be arranged and a careful watch on the situation maintained
by members of the Health Department Staff, and compulsory
removal in the interests of the old person is rarely enforced, as
persuasion usually succeeds in the end.