View report page

5
It is only necessary to refer here to the question of the provision made of ovens for cooking
food, and that made for heating water and for the storage of food.
In 739 tenements visited in 1903 (including tenements of 1, 2, 3 and 4 rooms), one-third
had no oven in which food could be baked by fire, the fire-grate being the same as that originally
provided, or of the same kind, and not more adapted for cooking purposes than an ordinary bedroom
grate. Some amount of improvement in this re3pect is being effected, though only very
gradually, for recent inquiry shows that in place of 33.7 per cent, three years ago, 30.4 per cent,
of the tenements are still unprovided with ovens. The need for further provision was especially
manifested, both in 1903 and in the more recent inquiry, in tenements of one room. In such
tenements, when an oven was found it was usually heated by a coal fire, but, in exceptional instances, it
was associated with gas stoves ; in tenements of 2, 3 or 4 rooms, the number of gas stoves is larger in
proportion than is the case in single tenements. The question of the need of making provision for
carrying away all the products of combustion from gas stoves, commented on in my report to the
Committee in 1903, is assuming increasing importance as years go on. From the recent inquiry it
appears that many instances were noted of gas stoves in sleeping rooms. With regard to the
supply of hot water, it was quite the exception to find any provision made.
In most instances, food was stored in cupboards, but, save in exceptional cases, there were
no means of ventilating the same other than through the cupboard-door opening into the room.
Shirley F. Murphy,
Medical Officer or Health.
11393
b