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
St Mary (Battersea) 1890
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea]
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41
Deaths of Those returned from pure old age were 20, two
Aged and
Young. being males and 27 females—the eldest, as usual
being the latter, two of whom reached the age of 99 and 95
years respectively, the next on the list being a male of 90.
Reverting to the opposite duration of life, we find 67 existed a
few days, 20 a few hours, and eight a few minutes.
Social The per-centage of deaths in relation to social Position. position was as follows:—
Number. Per Cent.
| Nobility and Gentry | 25 | 2.30 |
| Professional | 22 | 2.02 |
| Middle and Tradesmen's Class | 121 | 11.12 |
| Labouring | 920 | 84.56 |
| 1,088 | 100.00 | |
| Inquests. Enquiries were made on the bodies of 50 males and 29 females—in all 79, being 27 more than those of the previous year. The verdicts were as folows:— | ||
| From Natural Causes | 45 | |
| „ Accidental | 20 | |
| Suicides | 8 | |
| Murder | 3 | |
| Neglect | 2 | |
| Manslaughter | 1 | |
| 79 | ||
Of the accidental causes, ten were suffocated, five by falls,
three run over, one jammed in a lift, and one poisoned.
The suicides were eight, two cut throats, and three by
poison, hanging and shooting one each, and one by throwing
himself over a balcony.
The verdicts of wilful murder were three, all against some
persons unknown.
Case "A." Male, newly born, found in Altenburg Gardens.
Case "B." Female, newly born, found on Clapham.
Common.
Case "C." Male, newly born, found in Falcon Terrace.