London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Battersea 1902

Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1903

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Table: Van Dwellings. There were 77 dwellings of this description in Battersea in 1903, situated as follows:—

Van Dwellings. There were 77 dwellings of this description in Battersea in 1903, situated as follows:—

Situation of Vans.No. OF Vans.No. of Occupants.
Males.Females.
Mill's Yard, 88 Sheepcote Lane...448
„80 „462
Gurling's Yard, High Street ...81614
Barnett's Yard, York Road102732
Manley's Yard, Falcon Road ...234
„181927
Donovan's Ground, „162220
Mill's Yard, Culvert Road152123
Total77118130

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These dwellings, most of which are practically permanent,
are regularly supervised and inspected. During 1903 six vans
were found to be overcrowded, the standard of air space taken
being that laid down in the bye-laws, viz., 150 cubic feet for
each person above, and 75 cubic feet for each person below
12 years of age. It has been found that sources of nuisance
arise from the defective paving of the yards in which these
vans were placed. The ground is specially liable to pollution
unless great care is exercised, and the bye-laws now in force
in regard to van dwellings do not contain adequate provision
for the prevention of insanitary conditions in this connection.
These bye-laws were made by the Board of Works for the
Wandsworth District in 1887 when Battersea formed a part
of that district, and their provisions are inadequate to deal
with the conditions which now obtain.