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
Whitechapel 1895
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel]
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Fifty-two deaths were registered as due to different forms of violence. Burns and Scalds were responsible for 13 deaths; Street Accidents caused 1G deaths; Drowning occurred in 3 cases; 11 infants were Suffocated through the carelessness of their parents or nurses;
| Age Distribution of Violent Deaths. | Sub-Registration Districts Distribution. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
All the Deaths which took place during the year were certified by Medical Men. Last year there was one " Uncertified " Death.
| RPITAL-FIELDS. | MILE END NEW TOWN. | WHITE-CHAPEL CHUUCH. | GOODMAN'S FIELDS. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | Females | Males | Females | Males | Females | Males | Females | |
| — | ||||||||
| — | — | — | ||||||
| — | ||||||||
| _ | ||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Altogether a total of 185 bodies were admitted into the Mortuary
during the year. In 1894 the number admitted was 182. Upon 169 of
the bodies inquests were held, and 16 were admitted for the purpose
of awaiting interment only.
Only 7 cases of death from Zymotic Diseases were included in the
admissions into the Mortuary, viz.:—Diphtheria, 4; Measles, 1: Scarlet
Fever, 1; and Membranous Croup, 1. For the use of the Court the Fees
paid by the Coroner during the year amounted to the sum of £30 9s. 0d.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoff were elected in the spring to do duty as Mortuary
Attendants. They are compelled to reside some little distance from the
Mortuary, and thus the full value of the services of the new officers has
not yet been received. It is hoped that soon arrangements will be made
so that their services may be available at all hours.
If I do not discuss this question at length in my Beport it is not because
I deem it of less importance than usual, but on
Water Supply account of the fact that, owing to the Local Governin
the ment Board investigation into the action of the East
Whiteehapel London Water Company, the matter must be considered
District. still as being sub-judice. The Inquiry was instigated
by the Hackney Vestry, and officials from some
Metropolitan Districts attended to give evidence. I sent some particulars
to the Hackney Vestry concerning short and intermittent water supply to
parts of the District, and I proffered the services of an Inspector to prove
the facts. Of course it could not be proved that the deficiency of water