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
City of Westminster 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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129
and one 50 years), and their rents are lower; possibly the variation
is dependent to some extent on the existence of the "furnished"
rooms, but apparently the profit on a £30 house may vary from £15
to £50 without allowing for repairs. This item must be heavy, if
the premises are to be kept in proper repair, and probably at least
20 per cent. of the income might be allowed for this purpose in houses
with the worst class of tenant.
1 reported in 1905 that about two-thirds of the time of two
inspectors (a man and a woman) was occupied in dealing with the
insanitary conditions of the districts 3, 4, and 5, and that 350
notices had been served with respect to property therein, 46
having reference to Chadwick Street. In 1907, no less than 186
notices were served affecting every house but one in this street, and
three prosecutions took place for failure to keep w.c.'s supplied with
water. Owners are now much more careful to keep their houses in
good condition than was formerly the case; yards, passages and staircases
are often found extremely clean where formerly the reverse was the
rule, but it is only by constant supervision that the improvement is
maintained.
A comparison of the mortality rates for the four years 190.1-4 gave the following results:—
| All Causes. | Phthisis. | Other Respiratory. | Diarrhœa. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chadwick Street | 43.9 | 14.3 | 8.0 | 1.6 |
| Rest of District 3 | 32.7 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 1.9 |
| St. John's Ward | 18.3 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 1.0 |
| City | 14.6 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.5 |
The figures for the last three years show no improvement.
Probably the figure (600) taken as the population of this street may be
understated, and allowance should also be made for inmates* of
hospitals, infirmaries, &c., but even if thereby the population were
doubled the rates would still be excessive.
There is, unfortunately, no doubt as to the heavy mortality among
infants, as the figures there are known, and births in institutions are
credited. In 1904-7 there were 65 births with 12 deaths under 1 equal
to 184 per 1,000; 3 of the infants who died were illegitimate. In the
seven years 29 infants under 1 died, 16 between 1 and 2 years of age,
7 between 2 and 5, and 3 between 5—15. Of these 11 deaths resulted
* Mr. Worlock, Clerk to the Guardians for St. George's Union, has been good
enough to look up the records of persons admitted into the workhouse and infirmary
from Chadwick Street, and it appears that 158 persons (110 cases) were admitted during
1907. During the same time outdoor relief was granted to 66 persons and 84 medical
orders were issued.