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17
CHILDBIRTH.
Eighteen women died from the various diseases and accidents of
childbirth. Six were recorded as Puerperal Fever, Hemorrhage caused
a like number, and the remainder were attributed to Convulsions,
Embolism, Exhaustion, &c.
WASTING DISEASES OF INFANTS.
(Vide Table IV.)
This group includes Marasmus, Atrophy and Debility, Want of Breastmilk,
and Premature Birth. The deaths numbered 246, a mortality of 46.8
per thousand births, or 28.4 per cent, of the total infantile mortality.
INQUESTS.
During the year 205 inquests were held, a percentage of 6.6 on the
total deaths, the Metropolitan percentage being 5.3. Of these deaths
79 were returned by the Coroner as "Violent." I have only classed
74 as such, and have preferred to return the others under their appropriate
headings; one of the deaths returned as " Violent " was a case
of "Convulsions from internal disease" in a female aged 42. In one
instance no inquest was held, and the death was registered upon a
medical certificate; the cause was stated to be ''fracture of thigh" in
a male aged 82.
Twelve deaths were suicides, of these, four hanged themselves, three
took poison (one alcohol, two hydrochloric acid), two jumped into the
canal and were drowned, and the remaining three were cases of cutthroat.
One verdict of murder was returned; this was in Bethnall House
where one lunatic killed another.
Thirty-seven persons were suffocated, 35 of whom were infants.
Ten deaths was returned as " uncertified ; " each case was referred
to the Coroner who declined to hold inquests. The causes of death
entered on the register were one Phthisis, one Acute Diarrhoea, one
unknown, and the remainder Premature Birth, registered upon the
certificate of the attendant midwife.
DEATHS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The number of deaths in the various public institutions in the parish
was 486; of these, 364 happened in the Workhouse (20S males, 156
females); 71 in the City of London Hospital for diseases of the Chest
(48 males, 23 females); 39 in Bethnall House Asylum (24 males, 15
females); and 12 in the Mission Hospital (seven males and five
females).
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