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
Finsbury 1902
Report on the public health of 1902
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157
As a result of these night inspections there are three broad
facts arising. First, twelve months ago there was existent in
Bastwick Street a grave state of affairs and 73 per cent, of the
tenements were overcrowded, now 43 per cent, are overcrowded.
Secondly, twelve months ago, in 84 per cent, of the
overcrowding it was of a serious degree, now, 46 per cent, of the
overcrowding is serious. Thirdly, twelve months ago the houses
as a whole were densely overcrowded, being almost entirely oneroom
tenements; at the time of the third inspection many of the
tenements were empty and many others had been let in two rooms
instead of one. It should be stated that a considerable proportion
of the inhabitants of Bastwick Street are " birds of
passage," and belong to the drifting portion of the population.
The main facts, as regards Bastwick Street overcrowding, may be set out as follows:—
| Adults. | Children. | Total | No of Tenements occupied. | No. of Tenements overcrowded. | Percentage ofTenements overcrowded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Night Inspections have also been made in other parts of the
Borough in the same manner as in Bastwick Street. These have
taken place in registered houses let in lodgings and have been
judged by precisely the same standards as in Bastwick Street.
The results are as follows :—