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Alleged tampering with death certificates by registrars
May, 19o~1
Law
Reports
513
LORD ALVERSTONEsaid that he thought the decision of the magistrate was right, Section 24 was a " nuisance " section, and it was not without importance that it immediately followed section 23. I~ the words could be fairly applied to a chimney on board a steamship, there was no reason why they should not be so applied ; for unless the words " any chimney (not being the chimney of a private dwelling-house)" showed that a steamship could not be included, the object of the legislation would be avoided by not so applying them." There might be cases where the black smoke would come from a chimney which would, in ordinary language, be called a funnel. But he did not think that any argument could be based on the fact that the word " chimney" was used, for " funnel" was only the technical name for a particular kind of chimney. He did not see why the emission of black smoke from the funnels of vessels on the Thames should not be prevented as well as from chimneys on laud. Section 24 was not sufficient to enable the Court to hold that the funnel of a steamship was not a chimney. As to the other point, the order was not bad, because it did not specify any works to be executed (although the defendant asked that they should be specified), for there were no works that could be executed. KENNEDY and CHANNELL,JJ. delivered judgments to the same effect. UNDERGROUND BAKEHOUSEs.--The Bradford Corporation recently summoned a baker for using an underg(ound bakehouse which had not been certified as required by the Factory and Workshop Act. The stipendiary magistrate found that the premises in question had been used as a bakehouse before the passing of the Act, and held that he was bound by the decision in Schweitzerho# v. Wilkins, and therefore the premises did not require a certificate. Notice of appeal has been given. (See note on case quoted in Public Health xiv. 401, April 1902.)
CORRESPONDENCE. ALLEGED
TAMPERING
WITH D E A T H CERTIFICATES REGISTRARS. To the Editor o~ Public Health.
BY
SIR, I find that the Registrar of Deaths in this district often alters the age given on my death certificates on the representation of the relative or other person who registers the death, usually I believe for some purpose of receiving insurance payment. This is often the case in deaths occurring at the workhouse, where I have obtained the age from the deceased person himself, and in some instances a 'corroboration by other near relatives. Now if this is the usual custom, it minimizes the deaths of old persons to a very considerable extent, as the age is always required to be registered as younger by five, ten or more years. This must vitiate to a certain degree the Registrar General's statistics, and tend to lower the expectation of life in this country, re-acting on life insurance premiums by making them higher. This seems to me to be an important question, and I should like to know if other medical officeis of health who are in general practice have observed the~prevalence of a similar ~ractiee by registrars in other districts" I am, yours, etc., Rural M.O.H.
Law
Reports
513
LORD ALVERSTONEsaid that he thought the decision of the magistrate was right, Section 24 was a " nuisance " section, and it was not without importance that it immediately followed section 23. I~ the words could be fairly applied to a chimney on board a steamship, there was no reason why they should not be so applied ; for unless the words " any chimney (not being the chimney of a private dwelling-house)" showed that a steamship could not be included, the object of the legislation would be avoided by not so applying them." There might be cases where the black smoke would come from a chimney which would, in ordinary language, be called a funnel. But he did not think that any argument could be based on the fact that the word " chimney" was used, for " funnel" was only the technical name for a particular kind of chimney. He did not see why the emission of black smoke from the funnels of vessels on the Thames should not be prevented as well as from chimneys on laud. Section 24 was not sufficient to enable the Court to hold that the funnel of a steamship was not a chimney. As to the other point, the order was not bad, because it did not specify any works to be executed (although the defendant asked that they should be specified), for there were no works that could be executed. KENNEDY and CHANNELL,JJ. delivered judgments to the same effect. UNDERGROUND BAKEHOUSEs.--The Bradford Corporation recently summoned a baker for using an underg(ound bakehouse which had not been certified as required by the Factory and Workshop Act. The stipendiary magistrate found that the premises in question had been used as a bakehouse before the passing of the Act, and held that he was bound by the decision in Schweitzerho# v. Wilkins, and therefore the premises did not require a certificate. Notice of appeal has been given. (See note on case quoted in Public Health xiv. 401, April 1902.)
CORRESPONDENCE. ALLEGED
TAMPERING
WITH D E A T H CERTIFICATES REGISTRARS. To the Editor o~ Public Health.
BY
SIR, I find that the Registrar of Deaths in this district often alters the age given on my death certificates on the representation of the relative or other person who registers the death, usually I believe for some purpose of receiving insurance payment. This is often the case in deaths occurring at the workhouse, where I have obtained the age from the deceased person himself, and in some instances a 'corroboration by other near relatives. Now if this is the usual custom, it minimizes the deaths of old persons to a very considerable extent, as the age is always required to be registered as younger by five, ten or more years. This must vitiate to a certain degree the Registrar General's statistics, and tend to lower the expectation of life in this country, re-acting on life insurance premiums by making them higher. This seems to me to be an important question, and I should like to know if other medical officeis of health who are in general practice have observed the~prevalence of a similar ~ractiee by registrars in other districts" I am, yours, etc., Rural M.O.H.