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44
second-hand. In 175 instances the homes were markedly infested with fleas. In
18 instances overcrowding was observed, and in 32 instances the sanitary inspectors
remarked on the evidences of extreme poverty which were noticeable.
In addition to the above there were numerous cases in which the notifications
from the school authorities referred to addresses which were erroneous. Thus in
43 instances children were not known at the addresses given, in 18 the addresses
were empty houses, in 13 the children had left and their addresses were unknown, and
in 11 the addresses given did not exist in Shoreditch. It is also to be mentioned that
in numerous instances there was more or less difficulty in obtaining admission for
inspecting. In some cases as many as six or seven visits had to be made before an
inspection was possible, owing apparently to the members of the families being out
whenever the inspector called. In one instance admission was refused and it was
necessary to give an intimation that application would have to be made to a magistrate
for an order before an inspection could be made. Doubtless, in some instances,
the inspectors were kept out of the houses until the homes had been cleansed and in
several cases there was evidence of recent cleansing, probably in preparation for the
inspector's visit. In a number of cases a good deal of indignation and in some cases
great distress were manifested by parents on becoming aware of the object of the
inspector's visits. This need not be viewed seriously in cases where the homes are
dirty and the visits of the inspectors thereby justified, but it is another matter where
the homes are clean, and one to which the school authorities should give their careful
attention when notifying homes as verminous. In many cases the inspectors reported
that the children were undergoing treatment for head lice. Vermin in the
head may very easily be spread amongst children whilst at school notwithstanding
the fact that the children are dwelling in homes which are clean. Doubtless a great
many of the children were notified because of verminous heads, and this is probably
the explanation of the large proportion of the homes reported clean or fairly so.
It is to be noted that at the homes of 729 children reported as verminous, in the
cases of 53, or about seven per cent. only, there was evidence of lice in the clothing or
bedding.
houses closed.
The following houses were closed upon the service of sanitary notices, either on
account of being unfit for habitation or in order to enable the works necessary to put
them in a satisfactory sanitary condition, to be carried out in a proper and efficient
manner, which would have been difficult or impossible whilst the houses were in
occupation:—
Aske Street, No. 39.
Bernales Buildings, Nos. 4 and 5.
Dereham Place, Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12
Dunstan Road, No. 6.
Dunstan Street, No. 22.
Ely Place, No. 2.
Hoxton Street, No. 119.
Ware Street, No. 2.
Weymouth Terrace, No. 118.