London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Deptford 1914

Annual report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford

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129
(iii.) The total area of such window or windows clear of the sash
frames shall be equal at the least to one-eighth of the floor area of the
room and a portion of such total area equal in extent to at least one-tenth
of such floor area shall be so situated that a line making an angle of
thirty degrees with a horizontal plane can be drawn upwards from
any point thereon in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of the
window so as not to intersect within a distance of ten feet measured
horizontally from the window any wall of any area adjoining the room
or any other wall or any kerb or other obstruction except an open fence.
For the purposes of this paragraph a bay window having side lights
shall be assumed to be equivalent to a flat window of the same area and
of the same height in relation to the room and situated at a distance from
the outside area wall equal to the mean width of the area.
(iv.) In estimating the area of a window or windows for the purpose
of this regulation no account shall be taken of any part of any such
window which is above the mean level of the ceiling of the room.
(v.) Any such window or windows shall overlook the area or open
space provided in pursuance of the regulation in that behalf.
Underground Workrooms.
Whilst speaking of underground sleeping rooms it would not be out
of place to mention underground workrooms, which may be as unhealthy
from a public health point of view as any underground sleeping room.
There are a number of facts laid bare in the inspection of the homes of
outworkers which are of the greatest importance. Sometimes in these
home-workrooms the most unsatisfactory conditions under which
industrial employment is maintained are to be found, and our existing
powers are insufficient in some respects to bring about the necessary
improvements. The lighting, for instance, is often most unsatisfactory
where basement rooms are used. It is true that we rarely find more
than one or two engaged as out-workers in any one room, but when
these work close to the window of a small basement room, and thus
obtain sufficient light for working purposes, the rest of the room, sometimes
occupied by children and others, is very poorly lighted, and this
may be bad for them both from the standpoint of vision and of general
health. Moreover, the available light, which is little enough, is often
reduced on account of the windows being dull glazed or covered for
privacy, and they are sometimes further obstructed by articles being
hung by the side or front of them. On these and other grounds it
is strongly urged by several London medical officers that the requirements
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, with reference to
j