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rates are not high compared with the City as a whole, and there is a
tendency towards improvement during the last three years, but this
may be due to an over-estimation of the population. However, when
statistics for the wards in this division are examined, it will be seen
that while in Conduit, Grosvenor and Knightsbridge Wards there is a
decrease, in Victoria Ward the tubercular mortality is slightly
increasing, in actual numbers as well as in the estimated rates. It
should be noted that one death in 1902 and three in 1903 occurred in
Chelsea Barracks. In the three first named wards the persons affected
were nearly all domestic servants (male and female) or persons living in
Mews. No. 2 area of Knightsbridge St. George Ward has an excessive
number of cases, and Nos. 15 and 22, partly in this and partly in
Victoria Ward, also show an extra number of cases. (See Map.)
In Victoria Ward, areas Nos. 14, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40
and 43, have especially heavy rates. In some of these and other areas
certain streets are principally affected, thus Cumberland Street in
Nos. 30 and 31 had ten cases, Pulford Street (in 43) eleven cases,
Aylesford Street (also in 43) six cases, Westmoreland Street (in 29
and 33) ten cases, Hanover Street (in 34 and 35) ten cases, Winchester
Street and Place (in 30 and 31) eleven cases, West Street (in 22) five
cases, Sutherland Street (in 29) five cases. Colchester Street (in 41) had
five deaths, and is the only street affected in that area.
With few exceptions the deaths in this ward from tubercular
disease are in the families of artisans, labourers, waiters, clerks, coachmen,
and carmen, needlewomen, &c. In thirteen instances two deaths
occurred in the same house.
In visiting in this ward I find that a change is taking place in the
occupancy of the houses. Houses at one time occupied by one family,
or at most by two or three, have been converted into a series of tenements
of one or two rooms. As this process goes on it is not improbable
that the phthisis as well as the general death-rate will increase.
Fortunately the houses are of good construction and are surrounded by
a considerable amount of open space and the streets are wide. Some of
them, however, are beginning to exhibit a neglect of cleanliness and
want of proper supervision, which will require special attention from
the Women Inspectors the Council are going to appoint.
St. Margaret and St. John Division.—The tubercular rate in
this division of the City has been higher than the average for many
years, but lately the total rate has begun to fall. The conditions of the
three wards comprised in this division are so dissimilar that more
attention must be given to the smaller areas. Thus the Hamlet of
Knightsbridge has only a few cases, altogether yielding an average
total rate of 65, while St. John's Ward has had an excessive death rate.