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39
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1894.
"We would offer the following practical conclusions-:—
"1. In future all bakehouses, if underground, should be provided with back and
front areas of good size, with concrete floors, damp-proof walls, full provision for light
and ventilation, a height of at least eight feet, proper allowance of cubic space for
workmen, separate water supply from the main, impermeable drains, and entire
separation of lavatory arrangements. In short, that the sanitary conditions should
reach a high modern standard.
"2. That in future no building be allowed to be used as a bakery unless above
ground or in a properly constructed basement, as above outlined.
"3. That provision be made whereby the present cellar bakeries, which cannot be
made to answer the above requirments, shall be abolished within a certain fixed
time."
* * * * * *
(The following points are not purely sanitary, but are so closely connected with
the bakehouse question as to merit careful consideration):—
"4. That the present hours of labour are excessive and require limitation.
"5. That night-work should, if possible, be done away with.
"6. That the retail bakehouse industry, as at present conducted, might with
advantage be included within the schedule of the dangerous trades."
Note.—In cases where the front of the house abuts on the pavement and there
is consequently no room for a basement area, we suggest the construction of a
' borrowed area,' full particulars of which will be shortly published.
Report on the Falcon Court Area, with some
Account of its Surroundings.
In accordance with instructions, I, along with your delegates, have attended the
conference invited by the Housing Committee of the London County Council.
The object of the meeting was to discuss the advisability of a scheme to embrace
the improvement, not only of the insanitary Falcon Court Area, but also of the neighbouring
slum property.
At this meeting, in answer to the Council's chairman, I stated that within
a few weeks of my appointment as Medical Officer of Health to this Parish, my
attention was directed by the Sanitary Committee to the Falcon Court Area, which
is approached from the Borough Street by a couple of covered passages. One of
these entries, measuring 2ft. 3in. in its widest part, will admit only one person at a
time.
The Falcon Court Area—as you are all probably aware—comprises Bird Cage
Alley (also known as Mason's Building) and Falcon Court, a portion of the latter
forming a block of back-to-back houses continuous with those situated on one side
of the adjacent Brent's Court.
Certain other of the houses in Falcon Court, forming the second row (none of
which are "through" houses), abut directly upon those in Bird Cage Alley. This
faulty structural arrangement effectually precludes any possibility of a through ventilation.
The cellars of these houses contain the w.c.'s, ash-pails, and other sanitary conveniences.
Thev are also used for washing and drying clothes. In addition to the