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33
THE PUBLIC MORTUARY.
The bodies of 362 persons dying daring the year were received into the
Public Mortuary as compared with 373 in 1912, 379 in 1911, 382 in 1910, 392 in
1909 and 367 in 1908. There was only one instance in which the body of a person
dead of infectious disease was placed in the mortuary. A special shell is provided
for the reception of such bodies.
The inquests numbered 304 as compared with 294 in 1912, 303 in 1911, 322 in
1910, 317 in 1909 and 302 in 1908. The post mortem examinations carried out at
the post-mortem room attached to the mortuary numbered 214 as compared with
218 in 1912, 226 in 1911, 214 in 1910, 241 in 1909 and 298 in 1908. The figures
for previous years are contained in the reports for 191] and 1903. Save in some
inquest cases only the bodies of persons belonging to Shoreditch are received
into the mortuary.
WATER SUPPLY.
The rainfall for the year measured at Oxford amounted to 25.413 inches.
Taking the mean rainfall for 35 years, it was about the average. Most rain fell
during the last quarter of the year, the rainfall for that period amounting to
8.196 inches. The rainiest month was October when 4.755 inches fell. Least rain
fell in June, the fall amounting to 0.567 inch. The general rainfall for the
Thames Valley above Teddington amounted to 27.39 inches, and for the Lee
Valley 22.42 inches (Dr. Mill's Returns).
In accordance with Section 49 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
communications were received from the Metropolitan Water Board as to water
supplies being cut off in respect to 42 premises as compared with 40 in 1912, 80
in 1911, 82 in 1910, 83 in 1909, 65 in 1908, and 113 in 1907. Of these 38 were in
the New River District and 4 in the East London. The grounds for cutting the
water off were as follows: on account of defective water pipes in 6 instances,
premises being demolished in 20, waste on empty premises 8, by request of the
consumer 2, and in 6 instances for arrears in the rate.
There were no complaints received as to the quality of the water supplied
in the Borough, nor was there any reason for suspecting the occurrence of any
illnes due to the water.
In accordance with the requirements of Section 78 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, additional water taps were provided at 19
dwelling houses occupied by members of more than one family. In most instances
the water was supplied to one of the floors above the ground floor. In a few
instances taps were provided on more than one floor.
SANITARY WORK.
Intimation notices under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, as to insanitary
conditions were served in respect to 4,366 premises. In 553 instances the
premises were dealt with under the supervision of Inspector Firth, in 747 under
(174) c