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REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH,
FOR THE YEAR 1898.
It is most gratifying to be able to report that the general health,
together with the sanitary conditions which prevailed in Islington
during the year 1898 were of the most satisfactory character. Thus the
death.rate was only 16.5 per 1,000, which, with one exception, is the
lowest trustworthy rate on record ; the zymotic death.rate was 2.69
per 1,000, and the infectious sickness case.rate only 7.0 per 1,000
inhabitants, the lowest return since 1891, the year in which notification
became compulsory.
AREA, POPULATION AND DENSITY OF ISLINGTON.
Before more fully discussing these matters it will be well to
consider first some particulars as to the area of the district and the
density and distribution of its population.
Area. — The boundary line of Islington encloses 3,109 acres, of
wliich 13.2 is water, mainly the Regent's Canal and New River Company's
aqueduct. A very considerable portion is also devoted to the broad
lines of the Great Northern and the North London Railways, while also
a large area is occupied by the Cattle Market, the Highbury Fields and
some smaller open spaces. The railways cover some 158½ acres, the
Cattle Market 15½ acres, Highbury Fields 25 acres, and the smaller open
spaces 12½ acres. Thus altogether about 224½ acres must be deducted
from the total acreage to arrive at that available for living purposes.