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

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St Pancras 1867

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]

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8
Somers Town and Camden Town are less populous than at the Census
of 1861, owing to the number of houses pulled down in those localities.
Tottenham Court Road and Gray's Inn districts I have assumed to be nearly
stationary, whilst Regent's Park has become more populous, and Kentish
Town I have estimated to have increased by nearly one-third in the six years.
On Table B. the proportions of births to deaths in the several parts of
the Parish are given. On this plan of estimating their salubrity, they stand
nearly in the same order:—Camden Town, Kentish Town, Somers Town,
Eegent's Park, Tottenham Court and Gray's Inn Eoad.
On'comparing the Tables of quarterly mortality for 1867 with those of
1866, it appears that the first quarter was more unhealthy in 1867'—showing
1479 deaths instead of 1395 in 1866, whilst the second, third, and fourth
quarters had each of them a lower death-rate in 1867 than in 1866, as under:—
Second quarter 1866 1307 deaths
„ „ 1867 1102 „
Third quarter 1866 1255 ,,
„ „1867 1123 „
Fourth quarter . , 1866 1294 „
„ „1867 1141 „
The mortality from epidemic disease was lower than it has been for
several years past. It is not safe to attach too much importance to the
statistics of a single year; but I cannot help thinking that the sanitary
work done in the houses of the poor during the Cholera epidemic of 1866,
and the attention paid to the sewers as regards flushing and deodorizing,
both in 1866 and 1867 have had some considerable influence in keeping
down the death-rate. I believe also that good has been done by the demolition
of some of the more crowded streets in Somers Town, Agar Town, and
near the Old Pancras Road by the Midland Railway Company; although
very serious inconveniences have been suffered by the poor who were ejected.
The houses into which they have removed, though many of them are ill
adapted to receive them, yet have for the most part the advantage of being
built farther apart, so as to allow of full access of air both behind and
before.
The Improved Industrial Dwellings' Company have established two large
places, one named Stanley Buildings, in the Old Pancras Eoad, and one
named Derby Buildings, in Britannia Street, near Gray's Inn Eoad. The
former of these consists of 104 separate dwellings, and accommodates about
500 persons. The number of deaths in 1867, was only three, which gives a
death-rate per thousand of six only. In 1866, when the buildings were almost
new, the number of deaths was 10. Derby Buildings consist of 168 tenements,
of which at present nearly one hundred are completed and occupied; only
30 or 40 have been occupied since the end of 1867. "When they are finished
they will accommodate 840 persons. Each of the tenements at Stanley
Buildings has a separate water-closet, and an abundant supply of water, a
coal cellar, scullery, and a copper for washing.