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36
narrow streets should be perpetuated, and the provision for a free
current of air through them not made.
Among other changes, in Johnson Street, Somers Town,
additions have been built which will cartaialy deprive those
houses of the ventilation which Health Officers would desire
in the future to see preserved in any alterations which take
place. These matters are not immediately under the control
of the Vestry, but they deserve attention in a report which is
devoted to considerations relating to the health of the
community.
The whole subject of the housing of the Working Classes has
during the year received the attention of a Royal Commission
before which your Medical Officer of Health gave evidence. The
extreme difficulty of satisfactorily dealing with this subject has
been obvious. Nevertheless, it may be expected that the outcome
of the inquiry will be useful, for the evidence and the report have
amply shown that while there is no one single remedy which can
be found, there are many which may be applied with more or less
advantage to the same end. Upon the Metropolitan Sanitary
Authorities rests a great responsibility, for it is absolutely within
their power to insist upon all dwelling houses being maintained
in condition fit for human habitation, and they may, within
limits, prevent over-crowding, which is no less disastrous to
health than to morality. I have repeatedly recommended the
Vestry to adopt regulations for houses let in lodgings, and have
pointed out the power they would then possess for ensuring
tencmented houses being maintained in proper sanitary condition.
I would desire, in my last report, to urge upon them
the further consideration of this subject.
GENERAL SANITARY WORK.
It is with much satisfaction that I look back upon the work
of the Sanitary Department during the year 1884, of which
account will be found in Table VI. The condition of the Parish
improved in a marked degree, as the result of the steps which
were taken with that object.
As many as ft,241 houses and premises were inspected by the
Sanitary Inspectors, and 4,557 notices served for their improvement.
The work of providing water-closets with water was
proceeded with, and at last, with the exception of those which
from time to time required repair, it may be said generally
that every water-closet in St. Pancras had its water supply. The
difference in the condition of water-closets in tenement houses