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3
These figures show that nearly half the total population of Bethnal.green belonged at that date to
the two classes included under the headings poor and very poor, and that the condition of its inhabitants
compared unfavourably with that of the population living in East London and Hackney.
(3) The proportion of the population living in tenements varying from one to four rooms.
The following figures which bear upon this matter are taken from the annual report of the
medical officer of health of the administrative County of London for the year 1892. At the
time of the census in 1891 it was found that—

In London the percentage of the population living in each of tnese groups of tenements
respectively was 9 2, 16.4, 15.8, 14.1.

The birth rate in Bethnal.green has therefore during all these years been considerably higher
than in the metropolis and has been fairly well maintained.
The marriage rates in Bethnal.green for the years 1891 and 1892 were 28'9 and 22'8 per 1,000
persons living, as compared with 17.7 and 17.4 in the Administrative County of London ; this excess
over the London rate, although considerable, shows a marked decrease compared with former years, for
in the year 1881 the marriage rate in Bethnal.green was 41, while the corresponding rate for London
was 18. I quote the rates for 1881 from a report by Messrs. Cubitt Nicholls and Shirley F. Murphy,
on the condition of Bethnal-green in 1887, which was presented to Parliament. According to the
figures in the census return for 1891 I find that the proportion of married and widowed males and
females under 25 years of age to the total married population in Bethnal.green and in registration
London, is as follows—
Bethnal.green
London
Males.
Females.
705
5.06
10.8
8.1
In the following table are given the rates for deaths from all causes, from the principal zymotic
diseases, and the infantile mortality in the parish of Bethnal.green. In calculating these rates I have
made use of the figures which are given in the annual reports by Dr. Bate, and also his estimates as to
the average number of persons living in the parish during each period. The infantile rates are
calculated upon the number of registered births.
The corresponding rates for the administrative County of London for the same periods are also

It will be seen that the mortality from all causes, from the seven principal zymotic diseases
together and the infantile mortality is, in each case, greater in Bethnal.green than in London generally.
The houses in the parish of Bethnal-green, except in the main thoroughfares, are, for the most part,
buildings two storeys high; they are situated in streets which are generally of a width in fair proportion
to the height of the buildings, and are provided with open space in the rear. Some small courts and alleys,
in which the houses are not well arranged, still exist in the parish, and a few of the older houses are
built back.to.back or have no through ventilation. Several courts were visited which are approached