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66
The lavatory, urinals, and W.C. apparatus were supplied by
Mr. Jennings.
The post-mortem table is constructed of wood, with a leaden top, so
arranged as to drain towards the centre; slate would have, perhaps,
been preferable, but I understand there is some difficulty in satisfactorily
working that material to a concave surface.
In one corner of the post-mortem room is a large sink with water
supply, and a hose pipe is provided, so that everything can be washed
down without delay or inconvenience; the room also contains a large
gas-heated boiler, so arranged that hot water can be obtained in a
few minutes; and gas is laid on throughout the whole building.
By direction of the Sanitary Committee, the following bye-laws
have been prepared and printed : —
REGULATIONS
Under which Dead Bodies are allowed to be placed in the Mortuary Chapel
in St. Matthew's Churchyard,
(SANITARY ACT, 1866. Sec. 28).
1.—Application for permission to place a dead body in the Mortuary must be
made to one of the Sanitary Inspectors at the Vestry Hall, Church Row.
2.—The body shall be enclosed in a shell or coffin, except in cases where such a
course would be impossible, as of persons found dead, and shall be brought to and
removed from the Mortuary in a proper and decent manner.
3.—Should the death have been caused by any contagious or infectious disease,
the coffin shall be filled in with Sanitas powder or carbolic powder, and properly
screwed down before admission; the coffin shall not be re-opened without either the
order of the Coroner, or the consent, in writing, of the Medical Officer of Health,
and under no circumstances whatever shall the body, having been once placed in the
Mortuary, be removed therefrom, excepting for the purpose of burial, unless it shall
have been first enclosed in a hermetically sealed metallic coffin.
4.—No body shall be allowed to remain in the Mortuary for a longer period than
determined by the Sanitary authority; and should the friends or undertaker fail to
remove the body within the specified time, notice shall be given to the Relieving
Officer of the Parish to remove and bury such body at the expense of the Parish,
such expense being subsequently recoverable from the representatives of the
deceased person.
POST-MORTEM ROOM.
1.—The use of the post-mortem room shall be permitted to all legally qualified
medical men in the Parish upon their undertaking to leave the place and utensils
clean and in good order.
2.—In no case shall a post-mortem examination be allowed without either the
order of the Coroner, or the consent, in writing, of the friends of the deceased
person.
3.—Unless under exceptional circumstances, post-mortem examinations shall not
be made upon Sundays.