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1. STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA
General Information.
The Metropolitan' Borough of Stepney is bounded on the west side by
the City of London, on the east by the Borough of Poplar, on the north
by the Boroughs of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green and on the south by the
River Thames, the river boundary being some 2.39 miles in length. The
Borough is roughly rectangular in shape, the length being 2.3 miles and
the breadth varying from 1 to 1½ miles, and contains approximately ninety
miles of streets. The area of the Borough is 1,902 acres, and of this
the river accounts for 136 acres, and inland water consisting of docks
and canals covers 75 acres.
Dark blue London Clay is found under the whole Borough at a depth of
between 20 to 30 feet from the surface. Above this level are layers and
patches of gravel and sand, brown and yellow clays being found nearer the
surface. In some parts of the Borough there are layers of "made" ground,
the result of earlier habitation, and as is to be expected the flow of
subsoil water is towards the river.
The area is to a large extent industrial in character, factory premises
being spread throughout the Borough but tending to be concentrated
towards the western end, with docks and wharves stretching along the whole
of the river front which forms the southern boundary.
The chief industry of the Borough is the manufacture of clothing of
all kinds, and it is estimated that one-third of the tailoring industry of
London is carried on in Stepney. Other major industries include brewing,
cigarette making, engineering and the manufacture of furniture. Stepney
is also one of the most important wholesaling districts in London. The
Spitalfields Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market and the London Fruit
Exchange are situated in the Borough. Notable landmarks in the Borough
include the Tower of London and the Royal Mint.
Fifty Years Ago.
The Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1911
contains the following information:
The Census population was 280,024, and the birth rate was reported
to be 30.2.
The death rate (uncorrected) was 17.3 per 1,000 population, and the
infant mortality rate was 149 per 1,000 births. Among the causes of deaths
reported were: Tuberculosis 647, Diarrhoea and Enteritis 506, Measles 291,
Cancer 236, Premature Births 166, Whooping Cough 44> Alcoholism 34>
Diphtheria 34> Scarlet Fever 9, Smallpov 8.
Deaths of children under one year included 382 from Diarrhoea and
Enteritis, 70 from Measles, 17 from Whooping Cough. There were 197
inquests on children under five years of age, 48 deaths being attributed
to convulsions, 26 deaths to overlying in bed by parents and 11 to burns
and scalds. 7