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
Kensington 1888
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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The bodies removed to the Mortuary in 1888-9 were admitted upon application as follows :—
| 1. At the request of relatives of the deceased | 21 | |
| 2. At the request of Undertakers (bodies principally of parishioners removed from hospitals) | 32 | |
| 3. At the request of the Coroner (Inquest cases)— | ||
| Cases of sudden death | 33 | |
| Cases of violent death | 17 | |
| — | 50 | |
| 4. Brought in by the Police | Found dead 16 | |
| Accident cases 3 | ||
| Suicide 1 | ||
| — | 20 | |
| 5. Deaths due to infectious disease | 5 | |
| 128 | ||
In 52 of the above cases post-mortem examinations were
made by authority.
The Mortuary comprises two chambers, for infectious
and non-infectious bodies respectively, separated by" a
place provided for post-mortem examinations," which is
highly convenient, and much appreciated by medical practitioners.
This "place" is designed" for the reception of dead
bodies for and during the time required to conduct any postmortem
examination ordered by the Coroner;"who" may order
the removal of the body for carrying out such post-mortem
examination, and the re-removal of such body; the cost of such
removal and re-removal to be paid in the same manner and out
of the same fund as the costs and fees for post-mortem
examinations when ordered by the Coroner.'' (Sanitary Act,
1866, sec. 28.) The Coroner now occasionally permits the
removal of bodies for this purpose—at your Vestry's charge.