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factor in the relatively smaller excess of cases among mental patients as compared
with the excess in deaths.
Conclusion.
Considered in the light of the death-rate from all causes the mortality from phthisis
in the Council's mental hospitals does not differ materially from that of the general
population.
Common and
seamen's
lodging
houses.
Administration.
The supervision of the 153 common lodging-houses licensed by the Council
under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1902, entailed 7,975 day
visits and 230 night visits by the inspectors. The supervision of 25 seamen's lodging
houses licensed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, entailed 796 visits by day
and 50 by night.
A comprehensive report* on common lodging-houses, with special reference
to the accommodation for women, was prepared in December, 1926, and is obtainable
at the Council's publishers, P. S. King and Son, Limited, 14, Great Smith Street,
Westminster. S.W.1.
Census of
homeless
persons.
A census of homeless persons in London was taken on the night of Friday,
15th February, 1929. The area covered extended over the whole of the county,
except such of the outlying portions as are not usually the resort of such persons.
The night was cold and snow had fallen earlier in the evening. No persons were
found sheltering under arches or on staircases. In the streets 22 men, 8 women
and 1 child were found, compared with 61 men and 17 women on the night of the
census in 1928. In the common lodging-house, 14,648 persons were accommodated
compared with 14,738 in 1928. In the free shelters and labour homes not licensed,
700 men, 110 women and 24 children were accommodated compared with 735 men, 103
women and 25 children in 1928. The number of persons in casual wards and in the
Metropolitan Asylums Board hostel on the night in question was 860 (834 men and
26 women) the largest number recorded at any census since 1912. In the London
Rowton Houses 5,038 men were accommodated and there were no vacant beds.
Verminous
lodgers in
common
lodging
houses.
Under Section 37 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907,
the medical officer or any person provided with his authority in writing may
examine the person or clothing of any inmate of a common lodging-house where
they have reason to suspect that such person or clothing is verminous or in a foul
and filthy condition. The exercise of these powers has undoubtedly contributed
to the improvement noted with regard to verminous conditions in such houses.
No formal action under this section was necessary.
House
refuse.
During the year enquiry was made into the systems of house refuse collection
and disposal operating in Cologne and other continental cities, and as to how far
it would be expedient for such systems to be adapted to London conditions by the
metropolitan borough councils in association with the Council or otherwise.
In Cologne, the "replaceable container" system of collection has been adopted
and has apparently given entire satisfaction. The containers are provided by and
remain the property of the city authority, house owners being responsible for loss
or damage. Electric trucks, with trailers, transport the containers to depots where
the containers are cleansed by water under pressure. The refuse is loaded into large
carriers and conveyed to the utilisation centre, where up-to-date plant for the
economic disposal of the refuse has been provided for the city authority by the
Musag Company of Cologne. Steam generated by incineration of screened "coarse
refuse" is converted into electrical energy at a power station, and the clinker
residue is used in the production of building and other materials; fine dust from the
screening process is subjected to "smelting" and used in the manufacture of paving
and other similar materials. The installation of the utilisation plant was not completed
until August, 1928, and detailed information as to results, both practical
*Common Lodging Houses and Kindred Institutions. No. 2489. Price 1s. 6d.