View report page

Harmful as atmospheric pollution is to health, in terms of baneful effect it cannot compare with bad
housing conditions. Hence the priority rightly given to slum clearance. In recent years, however,
there has been a growing appreciation of the major public health problem posed by the multiple
occupation of houses originally designed for single families. The squalid Living conditions associated
with overcrowding, lack of basic amenities, and poor management are clearly inimical to health, and
the Housing Act of 1961 gives local authorities new powers to deal with such deplorable circumstances.
The number of houses in multiple occupation in St. Marylebone exceeds four figures and, as mentioned
on page 19, a detailed survey of these commenced towards the end of the year. In this context it is
gratifying to record that much modernisation of privately owned property, including renovation of
blocks of tenement buildings, is taking place in the Borough with the active encouragement of the
Council. Nonetheless it remains true that only the building of many more new homes can remove the
misery and heartache experienced by so many families in the Metropolis today.
One new housing scheme of especial interest is the Beaumont Street project being undertaken by
the Council. This block of 29 flats specifically designed for old people will be of great value to the
infirm elderly who need the friendly help of a resident warden. Once again comfort and companionship
for many of the senior citizens of the Borough have been provided by the St. Marylebone Old People's
Welfare Association which works in close harmony with the Health Department. An extract from the
annual report of this sterling organization appears on pages 6 to 9. The passage of an Amending Act
to the National Assistance Act will enable the Council to give more direct help in the provision of meals
and recreational facilities for the aged.
The full report of the 1961 census indicated a night population in St. Marylebone of 69,045 (of whom
10,823 were aged 65 years or more) compared with 78,521 a decade previously. This downward trend
in population has been present for many years. At the beginning of the century the inhabitants of
the Borough numbered more than 141,000 and a hundred years ago the population was 161,860.
Dr. Robert Dundas Thomson, who was Medical Officer of Health at that time, refers in his Annual
Report for 1862 to the terrible plight of the people caused by overcrowding and to the resultant disease
and death. He observes that "our new buildings are diminishing and our population is increasing.
It must therefore become denser, and as this overcrowding proceeds a limit must be reached at which
fever is the powerful check, but it is an awful one, since the poison thus produced in the human system
by vitiated air and excretions is capable of extending its baneful influence to others and in a most
fatal manner." Happily the appalling conditions which then prevailed and which stirred him so
deeply have largely vanished, and the St. Marylebone of today is a very different place. Thanks to
the work of pioneers in public health such as Dr. Thomson and to more recent advances in medicine
and hygiene coupled with improved social conditions, the decline in population in St. Marylebone
has been due primarily not to disease but to the transformation of the Borough from a predominantly
residential district to one in which commercial premises feature prominently.
A century ago universal elementary education had yet to be introduced and the national standard
of hteracy was understandably low. Today reading, writing and arithmetic are taught to all but we
are still largely untutored in the field of human relationships. If as much attention were paid to
fostering a sense of personal responsibility, respect and concern for others, and the self-discipline
reflected in voluntary restraint as the three formal 'R's' of education receive, then the seemingly
intractable problems of race, religion and behaviour might be resolved to the lasting benefit of
humanity. In truth the inculcation of the three social' R's ' provides the best guarantee of attaining
that state of positive health which betokens something more than the mere absence of disease. True
health and true education are indivisible.
In conclusion it is a pleasure to express my gratitude to His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Mrs.
F. E. Glenny and Councillor Dr. H. K. Ashworth, the Chairmen who have been in office during the year,
the members of the Public Health Committee and to members of the Council generally for their
continuing help and encouragement. To my colleagues in other Departments of the Council I extend
my sincere thanks for the assistance they have so willingly given me. Finally I am more than grateful
to the Staff of the Public Health Department for their unfailing cheerfulness and loyal support.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HASTINGS E. A. CARSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
(iii)