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
Islington 1905
Fiftieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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5 [1905
Population of the Wards— The population of the Wards has been also estimated, with the following results:—
| Persons. | Persons. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tufnell | 33,622 | Thornhill | 33,454 |
| Upper Holloway | 35,607 | Barnsbury | 20,637 |
| Tollington | 35,549 | St. Mary's | 17,389 |
| Lower Holloway | Canonbury | 32,271 | |
| Highbury | 34,982 | St. Peter's | 32,855 |
| Mildmay | 24,986 | Total | 342,994 |
Density of the Borough.—The density, that is to say the number of
persons living on each acre of the borough, shows only a very slight increase,
namely from no persons per acre in 1901 to in in 1905.
This figure, however, is very much greater than the average for the
County of London, which is slightly over 62 to every 1000, actually 62.6, and
is very much above the majority of the Metropolitan Boroughs For instance,
Woolwich, with a population of 125,000 persons, has a density of only 15.1
persons to every acre, while 20 other boroughs have a density below that of
Islington. On the other hand, 7 boroughs show a density greater than this
borough, the highest being Southwark with 184 persons to the acre.
In comparing the death rate of Islington with the rates of the other
communities of London, this fact should not be forgotten. As has so often
been pointed out, density has a very considerable bearing on mortality; the
greater the density as a rule the greater or higher the death rate.
The figures for the County of London, as well as for its various boroughs,
including the City of London, are set out in table III.
Density of the Sub-Districts and Wards.—The densities of the
several sub-districts and wards are given in tables. I and II.
Area.—Islington, although it is the most populous of the Metropolitan
Boroughs, only stands seventh on the list with respect to its area, which is
3,092 acres, the districts which are larger than it being Woolwich, Lewisham,