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The following observations of medical officers of health on the subject of houses let in lodgings
are deserving of note :—
Hammersmith.—" The registered premises were visited as often as time would allow by the special
inspector appointed for that purpose. There can be no doubt that the official influence obtained by
the registration of premises has a very good effect in improving the sanitary condition of the dwellings
and preventing overcrowding."
Hampstead.—" The condition of these houses has improved since they have been placed upon
the register, but the beneficial effect of registration will not be secured until the houses are more
frequently inspected, and this will not be practicable without an increase in the sanitary staff." The
number of houses on the register at the end of 1907 was 315, and Dr. McCleary states that the number
of tenement houses in Hampstead which need to be dealt with under the by-laws relating to houses
let in lodgings is over 800.
Poplar.—"In a district with a population of 170,000, and containing over 22,000 houses, the
[seven] sanitary inspectors cannot carry out the duties under the by-laws for houses let in lodgings
or occupied by members of more than one family.*' I unhesitatingly suggested for the consideration
of the Committee that another inspector should be appointed for houses let in lodgings." The
context shows that this appointment was not made.
Wandsworth.—No difficulties have arisen during the year in carrying out these by-laws, and
I am able to report that all these premises have been kept in much better condition since being placed
Qn the register."
St. Pancras.—In his annual report Dr. Sykes discusses the question of the exemption clauses to
be included in the by-laws for houses let in lodgings in St. Pancras, the borough council deciding
that the by-laws should not apply to tenement houses—(1) when the landlord resides upon the
premises and the sub-letting is not to more than one family, and (2) where the number of separate
dwellings in which the house is sub-let does not exceed one-third of the total number of habitable
rooms in the house, and no such dwelling contains less than two habitable rooms. The Local
Government Board have recently held an inquiry into the question of the confirmation of these bylaws,
but the decision of the Board has not yet been announced.
Paddington.—Dr. Reginald Dudfield includes in his report a comparison of the statistics of
morbidity and mortality of the inhabitants of registered houses let in lodgings with similar statistics for
the Borough of Paddington as a whole, which show that there was a larger incidence of the notifiable
infectious diseases on the former than on the latter population, and that the mortality from "all causes"
in the former was twice that in the latter, the difference being especially marked in respect of deathrates
from measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, diarrhœal diseases, phthisis, and other tubercular diseases.
There is no doubt that the regulation under by-laws of houses let in lodgings provides the most
effectual means of maintaining in wholesome condition the dwellings occupied by the poorest and by
the most negligent classes of the population. It is well recognised that the unsatisfactory conditions
which are frequently found in these houses are often contributed to by the habits of the inmates,
and in this connection the following extract from the report of Miss Middlebrooke, the woman sanitary
inspector of Woolwich, which is quoted in the report of the medical officer of health, will be read with
interest:—
In visiting the houses let in lodgings, not only is attention paid to the condition of the walls, ceilings, floors,
roofs, window sash-frames, and other structural defects, but an endeavour is also made to educate the tenants to
a higher standard of cleanliness, and decency of living. Efforts are made to induce those housewives who are inclined
to be slatternly to be orderly and methodical in their houses. Many women are under the impression that, so long
as they wash their floors, the rest of the room does not matter in the least. They are apparently blind to the cobwebs
on the walls and ceilings, the paintwork coated with black grease, the accumulations of dirt in the corners of
the rooms, and filthy carpets which would be better dispensed with altogether.
Special attention is given to the following :—To the state of the bedding, which is too often found in a
deplorable condition, out of repair, soaked with filthy matter, offensive and verminous, destitute of proper coverings,
pillowslips and sheets. To the receptacles for slops; these are often coated with a slimy foul matter, and are frequently
the cause of serious nuisance. To the spaces under the beds, which are used for the disposal of dirty clothing,
old boots, and rubbish. To the cupboards used for the storage of food; these are usually found in a most unsatisfactory
state as regards cleanliness and order. To the use of heavy, dirty, light-obstructing window curtains
and blinds.
0 #
Water supply to tenement houses.
During the year the Council obtained the sanction of Parliament to a provision which waS
included in the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, and which empowers sanitary
authorities to require a supply of water to the upper storeys of tenement houses. This provision
came into force on the 1st January, 1908.
Houses infested with Vermin.
The powers contained in section 20 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904,
are being increasingly used by sanitary authorities for the cleansing of premises infested with vermin.
The annual reports supply the following information as to proceedings under this section in
1907:—
18560
K