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the upper portions of the windows had no sashlines at all, but only wooden hinged
flaps, and in some the upper portions were quite fixed, and for these reasons
many of the windows were seldom or never opened at the top.
Many of the basements were used as living rooms, and were quite unfitted
for this purpose, as they were dark and badly ventilated cellars, being only
lighted and ventilated by means of small undrained box areas covered with small
iron gratings.
With scarcely any exception the houses were without a proper and sufficient
supply of water, many had only a supply in the basement, the approach to which
was by a narrow, steep and dark staircase. In many others the only water supply
was in the back area, and many of the houses in the courts were only supplied
by taps in the courts
The drainage and sanitary conveniences of the great majority of the houses
were not in accordance with modern requirements.
About 20 of the houses were only supplied by old fashioned trough closets
which were very near to some of the houses. Many of the water closets were in
small back yards, either adjoining or very near the houses. Some were in basements,
the access to which is by dark, steep and narrow staircases, and many were
not properly lighted and ventilated. Many of the seats of the water closets were
sodden and foul, as the seats were either fixed or not lifted up when used as a
urinal or for slops.
The evils and sanitary defects connected with such houses, courts, and
alleys, could not therefore be effectually remedied otherwise than by an improvement
scheme.
The following summary shows the principal structural defects existing in the
111 dwelling houses occupied at the time of the Inquiry:—