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The prolonged, retention in Dwelling Houses, of the bodies of persons who
have died of Infectious Diseases.—As in former years, several cases of this
nature have occasioned some anxiety. The difficulties in the way of
effectually dealing with this source of danger to health are great, and
call in my opinion for increased legislative or administrative measures.
In one instance, information was received that the body of a woman who
had died of fever in one of the public hospitals, was about to be brought
back to Fitt's Rents, thus threatening to import a most dangerous
epidemic disease into the centre of a crowded population. I addressed
a letter to the authorities of the hospital, requesting them to surround
the body with disinfecting substances, before suffering it to leave the
institution; and to arrange if possible, that it should be taken for
interment direct. In two other instances, the health of many persons
was seriously endangered by the keeping of bodies in a state of decomposition.
In each case I made strong representations to the persons
responsible; and received the prompt assistance of the officers of the
Board of Guardians.
The evil is a very serious one. The difficulty of diminishing it is,
of course greatly owing to the intensity of the natural feeling of respect
entertained for the remains of deceased relatives. But it unfortunately
happens that in deference to this feeling, the health and lives of persons
who are not related to the deceased, are compromised. It is clear that in the
public interest, adequate authority to expedite the interment, or at least,
the removal of a dead body from a place where it is likely to be a cause
of disease, is necessary. In France and most other countries, the law
requires burial within a limited number of hours, a time too short
probably ever to be felt consistent with the deep reverence for the dead,
which pervades the people of this country. But I cannot avoid expressing
my conviction that the custom of retaining bodies in dwelling-houses
for six, seven or more days, is greatly to be regretted. Amongst
the practical measures that might be adopted with advantage, are:—
1.—The provision by some public body of a public mortuary, to
which bodies may be removed for deposit until arrangements for burial
are completed.