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
City of London 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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103
In one, the occupants are an old man and wife.
In one, a woman living alone and employing a young girl, the remaining
three are occupied by families where the mother was taking in work to
supplement the father's wages. These three were all occasional workers.
One room was overcrowded.
Analysis of all Home Workers' shows—
i
In 11 cases—men living and working alone.
9 „ —women „ „ „
4 „ —man and wife.
4 „ —man and son or brother.
2 „ —women and aged relative.
10 „ —women supplementing family income.
24 „ —Workshops.
64
| Defective Drainage or Sanitary accommodation - | |
| „ Roofs - | |
| Insufficient ventilation ....... | |
| Absence of Dustbin, and uncovered Cisterns, yard and paving defective, (fee. -------- | |
| Dirty Walls, Ceilings, &c. ------ | |
| Overcrowded Workshops ------- | |
| „ Dwelling - | |
To a large extent outwork is done by people who live in " houses let in
lodgings." These premises are subject to constant inspection, and are under
stringent bye-laws.
Speaking generally, Home Workers' premises are more cleanly than the
Workshops of Outworkers who rent a room in premises, each room of which
is let separately as a workshop.
It is in these latter that overcrowding and dirty conditions are mostly found.
Existing legislation is sufficient to deal with insanitary conditions, but
power is required to compel the Outworker to disclose the name of his
employer.