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war, there were 36,744 houses with 5.4 persons per house,
and to-day 28,114 houses with 3.5 persons per house.
Dr.Thomas describes a special survey on overcrowding in the
St.George's area in 1902. The 654 houses inspected contained
3>217 adults and 2,06l children, an average of
8 persons per house. 629 of the 1,378 families visited
occupied one-room tenements.
In 1901 the death rate was 20.8 per 1,000 of the
population, this year's rate being 12.58. In ±901, 22
persons died of Smallpox (252 in 1902; 47 from Typhoid,
41 from Scarlet Fever, 91 from Whooping Cough, 155 from
Measles, and 78 from Diphtheria. In 1950 there were no
deaths from any of these diseases.
In 1901, 165 children in every 1,000 born died
before they reached the age of one year. Only 26.5 per
1,000 died in 1950. Six times more infants died in 1901
than to-day.
626 persons died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in 1901
(mortality rate 2.09) as compared with 50 in 1950 (mortality
rate 0.50).
An interesting item showing the change in method
of milk distribution - in 1901 there were 44 cowsheds with
842 cows in Stepney; to-day only one remains with 8 cows.
Of 283 samples of Milk taken in 1901, 63 (22%)
were adulterated resulting in 43 prosecutions; in one case
the adulteration by added water was as much as 37 .75%. In
the year under review none of the 186 samples taken was
found to be adulterated.
In ending the introduction to my report I wish to
express my thanks to the Chairman and Members of the Public
Health Committee for their support and interest during the
year, to the Chief Officers of the Council for their willing
co-operation, and to the members of my staff for the loyalty
and good service given by them throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. R. 0'SHIEL ,
»
Medical Officer of Health.
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