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The density of population is 37.38 persons per acre, a reduction of 4½ persons
per acre (11%) since 1965.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In 1920 the estimated population of the Boroughs of Bethnal Green, Poplar and
Stepney, which now form the Borough of Tower Hamlets, was 548,300. There were 7,347
Stepney births or 1,884 more than in 1919. The marriage rate was 20.5 per 1,000
population.
Of the 4,014 cases of infectious disease notified in Stepney, 2,411 were cases
of Scarlet Fever. 651 of Diphtheria, and two were of Smallpox. Malaria notifications
numbered 17 with one of Trench Fever and one of Dysentery - all in ex-soldiers who
had served overseas. Among the causes of death in this Borough were 283 from Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, 89 from Summer Diarrhoea (in children under 1 year of age), 74 from
Whooping Cough, 38 from Diphtheria, 48 from Measles, 15 from Scarlet Fever, 12 from
Encephalitis Lethargica and 7 from Cerebro Spinal ("Spotted") Fever. Of the deaths
from Phthisis 40% were not notified during lifetime. Deaths of children under one
year numbered 663, the infant mortality rate being 90 per 1,000 births. Deaths from
old age numbered 136, whilst violence and suicides accounted for 164 deaths.
Consideration was given by the Stepney Council during the year to the employment
of home helps to assist in management of homes in cases of confinement. Free milk
was distributed to 6,500 families for nursing and expectant mothers and chi 1 dren under
5 years, at a cost of £20,000.
The addition of water tomilk by retailers was not uncommon, the War ran ty offence
being pleaded successfully on 100 occasions during past 7 years. The Public Analyst
estimated that about 18,000 gal 1ons of either water or separated mi 1 kwere sold annua] ]y
as new milk. The Medical Officer of Health asked the Ministry of Health "to make
such orders as it may think advisable to put an end to the scandal that exists". The
result of bacteriological examination carried out of milk samples led the Medical
Officer of Health to state that "the bacteria content of some of the milk samples can
be quite justly compared with the bacteria content of the Thames sewage".
Summonses heard under the Public Health (London) Act numbered 177, 40,000 notices
being served. Houses let in lodgings numbered ?,512 and there were 27 cowsheds with
600 cows. Due to dilapidations in dwellings following inattention or neglect during
the war years, the Council decided to take advantage of the powers contained in the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1919 and to undertake themselves the repair of
houses which were not reasonably fit for human habitation, where owners didnot comply
with notices served upon them. Five temporary Sanitary Inspectors were engaged for
this work which included a rapid house to house survey of the Borough.
The Council adopted an estimate of £16,700 for the erection of a block of 15
4 roomed flats, including the cost of the land. It also approved the expenditure of
£10 for the purchase of a col lection of stuffed and mounted trout caught in the River
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