London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Willesden 1895

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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( 35 )
supply each with refreshment as they entered, and
they would then proceed to the tables and eat.
Afterwards they would lay their heads and arms
upon the tables and sleep. Some would be on the
floor with their boots and jackets for pillows. There
were on one occasion 350 men there, and on cubing
up the space the area was not more than sufficient
for one.fifth of that number.
I considered this a great menace to the health
of the neighbourhood, not only on account of the
overcrowding, but also, from the men coming from
various localities, they were probably in touch with
infectious disease and might propagate it in this
District.
A notice was served upon the Authorities to
abate the nuisance from overcrowding, and on a
second visit I found the numbers considerably reduced,
but overcrowding still existed.
After some further protest the premises were
voluntarily closed without recourse to legal proceedings.