Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-07
MEnrnrs MoaruAsr REF0ar.-ws %

MEMFHIs MoRrUARY RKPoRT.-We tooE
occasion to say, in giving our analysis of last
weeks report Of The deaths in the city during
the preceding week, that the report as trans
mitted BY the respected city health officer,
DR.. Mitchell, was deficient as a scientific and
/ satisfied document. Since writing this We
have had an interview with the Doctor, and
found, as indeed we expected, that the fault
lay, not with him, bat that on the contrary be
has been stugglinaevsr since bis appointment
with difficulties, and has only succeeded after
great effort, in placing the system n the POSI-
ton it now occupies. We must pause a mo-
ment to observe that the statistics OF deaths
and Of their causes is one Of great moment
not only to our city, but to science. May
questions relating 10 the public health, the in
huences OF climate, changes Of weather, popu-
lar habits, food, amusements, and, indeed, Of
every important action and condition OF lhe
upon the physical we'll being Of man, are IN a
great measure to be Judged Of from statistical
information. To this source especially, many
interesting points connected with contagious
and epidemic diseases must be referred for a
solution Of the mysteries at present involved
in them. Viewed in this light, medical statls-
tics are OF immense Importance to ourselves
and 10 generations that are to come after US
It is therefore very desirable that hey saould
be full, accurate, and properly classified. Il
was because we entertain this sense OF me
importance Of the subject, that we made toe
remarks we did respecting the Memphis NOR
tuary report, to which we now return. DIT.
Mitchell, on assuming bis present duties,
found that the undsrtaksrs and sections were
giving mere verbal reports, which we're con-
monty destitute Of authority. He caused forms
Of certificates to be printed, with an appeal to
pbvsieians appended, desiring them to give the
subject the attention its Importance requires.
This worked a great Improvement, but still
pueh remains to be done, as may be
Judged when we state that during last
week alone, a city magistrate, who had
acted as coroner in two cases, made out eertih-
Gates in which the cause Of death was omit
ted. while in third a "lady doctor stated F;
q supsed Csupposed) to be brane feVear."
The he alth officer could only register these as
q unknown no cause Of death being stated.
BUTT is not only magistrates and females who
give rise to difficulties, as may be judged when
we state that in the same week one gentleman,
who terms himself an NJ D., states the cause
Of death to be "tyfoyed Numonia," while
esrtihes to a case OF "Diptheria. "
OF the un~dertakers and sections were re-
luctant at first to comply with the ordinance,
and it became necessary to lave them up be-
fore the recorder. The city ordinance itself is
defective in its requirements on the subject,
and unnecessarily directs the names OF the
deceased, as a part Of the statistics, 10 be
This sometimes ;ltads to painful re-
as when relatives see..the name Of a be-
connection coupled with "suieide, +" " in
temperance" or other unhappy causes Of
death. The books Of DR.. Mitchell are open
at his Office for all to see who choose. Not
being under the government et the ordinance
alluded to, they are not subject to the de-
i~eieheips it entails. The reports made BY the
Doctor to scientific societies smbody similar
improvements. In connection with this sub
is another one Of considerable Importance,
md thstis the position Of The Office of coroner
1t the present moment in Memphis, but Of this
Ne will speak at other time.