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

St Pancras 1930

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

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Table: The following table gives particulars regarding the use of underground rooms concerning which information was obtained:—

The following table gives particulars regarding the use of underground rooms concerning which information was obtained:—

Inspector.Number of Underground Rooms.Empty.Used as Washhouse or for Trade purposes.Used for Living only.Living and/or Sleeping.Used for sleeping but do not comply with the Regulations
Number of Rooms.Number of occupants.
Adkins88339164443237237484
Akers7173334488162121232
Brown32161215215198204
Capel56248852841452139
Jaffa87344884323093885
James1803712341060438170366
Lonnon965158204341262249439
Nixon6485840318232137271
Rackhain1572946161120
Thompson75098196194262121243
Walker4647752186149918
West7815239419613970105
Winchester1240137408421274161339
Totals101648231911460928211493 '2945

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It will be noted that, out of a total of 10,164 underground rooms, no less than 2,821
were found to be used for sleeping purposes. Many of these are quite satisfactory and comply
with the Regulations. 1,493 rooms occupied by 2,945 persons did not comply with all the
Statutory requirements for underground rooms used for sleeping purposes, and were therefore
illegally occupied. Many of these were fairly satisfactory rooms and only infringed the
requirements in certain particulars, others were definitely unsatisfactory.
It is, however, impossible to take proceedings in all these cases as suitable alternative
accommodation is not available, and even an undesirable basement dwelling is better than no
accommodation.
It would also appear that the good intentions of the housing reformer are not always
appreciated, and that in a number of cases this type of home appears to be preferred.
During the course of this survey the following somewhat amusing, but rather pathetic,
anonymous communication was received:—
"Dear Sir,
Please don't get us out of our basements, where our babies have all the
freedom and keep well and strong. Ours never get fevers and things, because we never
go to the clinics where they are caught. Us mothers were all born in basements, and
are quite strong. Please leave us alone.
From 20 Mothers."