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
Bethnal Green 1896
Report on the sanitary condition and vital statistics of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green during the year 1896
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the dampness of many of the dwellings. For years past, the Sanitary
Department has been fighting against this evil ; we do what
we can, get leaky roofs and gutters repaired, walls pointed, and
damp courses inserted where possible, but in many instances the
dampness is the result of the use of improper materials, and is incurable,
the only remedy being demolition and rebuilding.
RESPIRATORY DISEASES.
The deaths from chest diseases formed 24 per cent. of the total
mortality and numbered 719, equivalent to a rate of 5.5 per thousand
population at all ages.
TENEMENT HOUSE REGULATIONS.
The enumerators report that at the last complete census in 1891,
Bethnal Green contained a total of twenty-eight thousand tenements
with less than five rooms in each holding. Of these:—
6951 are single room lettings.
6694 are two room lettings.
6059 are three room lettings.
4080 are four room lettings.
The following table shows the total tenements, and tenements
with less than five rooms in Bethnal Green, distinguishing those
occupied by various numbers of persons:—