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

Westminster 1859

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, The United Parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster]

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Table: The following are examples of Overcrowded Rooms in Saint Margaret and Saint John's:— ST. MARGARET.

The following are examples of Overcrowded Rooms in Saint Margaret and Saint John's:— ST. MARGARET.

Situation.No. and Class of of Occupants.Dimensions.Actual Capacity.Required Capacity.Deficiency.
ft. ft.ft.ft.ft.
2, King's-head Ct. BroadwayMan, wife, 6 children14 by l2—8 ft. high13442000656
6, ditto, dittoMan, wife, 3 children13 by 9—8 ft. „9361400464
2, St. Ermin's HillMan, wife, daughter, 1 child11 by 13—7 ft. „9921400408
ditto, First FloorMan, wife, 3 children12 by l0—7 ft. „8401400560
1, St. Ermin's Hill4 adults, 1 child13 by l6—7 ft. „14561800344
1, Maidenhead court4 adults14 by 10—7 ft. „9801600620
2, ditto ditto3 adults, 2 children11 by l4—7 ft. „8481600752
7 Rooms.20 adults, 16 children739611,2003804

Table: ST. JOHN.

ST. JOHN.

ft. ft.ft.ft.ft.
1, Cottage place, Ship courtMan, wife, 6 children13 by 9—7 ft. high8191400581
2, ditto, ditto, Top RoomMan, wife, 1 male lodger, 3 children13 by 7—7 ft „63718001163
ditto, Lower RoomMan, wife, 4 children12 by 9—7 ft. „7561600844
6, ditto, ditto2 men, 2 wives, 1 chd.13 by 9—7 ft. „8191800981
8, ditto, dittoMan, wife, 6 children13 by 9—7 ft. „81920001181
9, ditto, dittoMan, wife, 3 children 1 male lodger10 by 9—8 ft. „72018001080
ditto, Lower RoomMan, wife, 2 children10 by 9—8 ft. „7201200480
8, Romney placeMan, wife, 2 men, 2 wives, 3 children13 by 9—7 ft. „81934002681
ditto, Lower RoomMan, wife, 2 children, 1 male lodger, wife, 3 children10 by 9—8 ft. „72026001880
10, ditto dittoMan, wife, 3 children, grandmother10 by 10—8 ft. ,,80018001000
10, Artillery squareMan, wife, 2 children, woman lodger16 by 11—8 ft „14081600192
11, ditto dittoMan, wife, 2 single men14 by 11—7 ft. „10781600522
3, Bull's-head court, Peter-stMan, wife, 3 children, 2 male lodgers11 by 12—7 ft. „92422001276
13 Rooms.42 adults, 41 children11,03924,80013,761

Text

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It is thus shown that in 20 rooms, the cubic capacity of
which is only 18,435 feet, there are living G2 Adults and 57
Children, or a total of 119 persons breathing about one-half
the required quantity of air, which is loaded with the impurities
incidental to deficient cleanliness. Can any other proof bo
wanting to show how contagious diseases must spread, and
how incapable the young are of resisting its influence?
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
5, Parliament Street, BARNARD HOLT.
April 1859.