View report page

24
The population upon which these death rates have been tabulated
is that of the census, which provides the only available figures.
The population in each class of accommodation has declined since
1901, so that, in fact, all the rates are probably, if anything, a
little below the accurate figures.
A study of the Table will show the effect of the one-room system
upon the death rates. It will be seen that in each of the four
classes selected, the death rate falls in proportion as the number of
rooms occupied rises.
In the next place, it will be seen that the number of deaths
occurring in tenements of two rooms or less furnish the majority of
all the deaths in the Borough, though only 40 per cent. of the
population actually live in such tenements.
Then, again, under each of the stated causes, of infectious disease,
phthisis, and other respiratory diseases, it will be seen that the
same broad result holds good. Many deductions might be drawn
from this Table, but it is perhaps undesirable to burden the report
with them. The main lesson is an obvious one. The conditions
of life obtaining in one-room tenements are such as tend towards
poor physique, disease, and death. The density of population is
higher, the physical restrictions are greater, and there is less fresh
air and more uncleanliness.