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
Holborn 1900
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn, Metropolitan Borough]
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The population as enumerated by the London County Council in June, 1899, viz., 817, may, I think, be fairly taken as the average of the population during the four years 1896-1899 inclusive, for although the population was greater in the beginning of 1896, the greater part of that year and in 1897 it was less on account of the closing and demolition of parts of the Area.
| General. Death-rate. | Phthisis. Death-rate. | Zymotic. Death-rate. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 48•6* | 7•96* | 6•12* |
| Holborn District | 23•4 | 3•11 | 2•89 |
| London | 19•3 | 1•77 | 2•45 |
Per 1,000 persons.
* The true death rates of the Area are most probably greater than the above high figures, because a large number of
the inhabitants of that Area, when they are ill or infirm, go to Hospitals, Infirmaries, Asylums, and Workhouses, and at
death the address is often given as Holborn, St. Andrew's, or some other inexact address, and these deaths therefore cannot be
included as of persons belonging to the Area.
The Local Inquiry was held at the Holborn Town Hall on the 15th and 16th March, 1900. At
this inquiry the past and present District Poor Law Medical Officers, Dr. Gabe and Dr. Gahagan,
gave evidence of the large proportion of sickness, especially phthisis or consumption, other respiratory
diseases and zymotic diseases, that had been prevalent amongst persons living in the Area. Many
other witnesses (including Dr. Hamer, Assistant Medical Officer of Health to the London County
Council, and myself) were also examined and cross-examined.
After the Local Inquiry a Provisional Order was made by one of Her Majesty's Principal
Secretaries of State, for improving the above areas; and an Act confirming the Provisional Order was
afterwards passed.
HOUSES CLOSED VOLUNTARILY, DEMOLISHED, REBUILT, &c.
First Avenue Hotel. Extension and new shops and offices in Brownlow Street, and 52,
Bedford Row.
90 and 91, High Holborn. Rebuilt.
101 to 107, High Holborn. Demolished and new premises being erected.
8 and 9, Gray's Inn Passage. New warehouses completed.
51, Gray's Inn Road. New warehouses completed.
"Three Cups" public house, Sandland Street. Extended by including 21, Sandland Street.
" Duke of York," Henry Street, and 1 and 2, John's Place. Demolished for new enlarged
Public House.
1, Boswell Court. House still closed for new premises.
25, Southampton Buildings (the Patent Office). Being rebuilt.
Furnival's Inn. Extension of the Prudential Life Assurance Buildings in progress.
Reid's Brewery, Clerkenwell Road. Demolished.
16 and 18, Portpool Lane. Demolished.
326 and 332, (inclusive) High Holborn, and 5 to 9, Staple Inn Buildings. Birkbeck Bank
extension in progress.
17, Dorrington Street. Demolished and factory built.
81, Leather Lane. Demolished, new premises erected.
14, Leather Lane. Demolished, new premises erected.
Hatton Wall, Educational Supply Association. New premises being erected.
21 and 23, Farringdon Road. New premises (after a fire).
1 to 8, Dean Street. New premises for workshops or warehouses nearly completed.
Dean Street, West Side. New premises in course of erection.
Kingsgate Street, No. 20 to Fisher Street. Demolished.
62 to 66, Great Saffron Hill. New premises.
150 and 151, Great Saffron Hill. New premises.
109 and 111, Charterhouse Street. Cold air stores erected.
26 and 27, Charles Street. Demolished and new premises erected.
4 and 10, Kirby Street. Demolished,
Booth's Distillery, 55, Cow Cross Street. New premises completed.