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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 99
fied to enable me to say that they are in these respects practically
correct.
The three areas specifically mentioned are Larch Road,
Balham; White Square and Nelson's Row, Clapham; and
Wardley Street, Wandsworth.
Before entering into a detailed description of each locality I
may here state that none of these areas are insanitary. There are
insanitary houses in each locality it is true, but this is due to the
personal habits of the people, and the number of insanitary houses
in each of these areas differ very considerably for the same reason.
From personal inspection of houses in each locality at various
times I can unhesitatingly say that there are houses in each of
these localities which for cleanliness, air space, and general sanitary
condition will compare favourably with any houses of a
similar character in London.
With regard to Larch Road, a street close to Balham Station,
there is no doubt that the sanitary condition has not been in the
past all that could be desired. Recently, however, owing to frequent
inspection the houses have been very much improved, and
there has been to some extent a corresponding improvement in
the class of tenants.
At the recent inspection by the Sanitary Inspector there
were 75 inhabited houses in this street. 19 were occupied by one
family, 26 by two families, 28 by three families, and two by four
families. The number of families living in one room was four,
the number living in two rooms four, the number in three rooms
110, and the number in four rooms and upwards 42. The only
point that calls for attention in the above statement is the fact
that 28 houses were occupied by three families. These premises
were, I understand, built for the express purpose of accommodating
three families, and separate sanitary conveniences exist
for each family.
Ten of the houses have been placed on the Register of Houses
Let in Lodgings, and 35 are presently under notice to be registered,
but the owners objected. The case is now under the consideration
of the Magistrate for decision.
In only one case was there any overcrowding, and this was
purely domestic, the occupiers having occupied the house for some