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

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Clerkenwell 1865

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Clerkenwell, St James & St John]

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those from Scarlet Fever, from 94 to 57, of which 4 were
registered as arising from Diphtheria.
The deaths from Hooping Cough increased slightly from 71
to 88.
The deaths from Diarrhoea were nearly the same as those of
the preceding year, viz., 84 and 87. The occurrence of a few
cases of Cholera at Southampton and Epping in the Autumn,
produced some alarm, lest the disease should reach the Metropolis
and this Parish. 7 deaths were registered as resulting from it
here during the year; the numbers for the preceding 5 years being
1, 1, 4, 1, 2.
The deaths from Consumptive diseases were 326, the number
for the preceding year being 283; while those from Pulmonary
diseases were 292, and in the preceding year 347.
The Workhouse. In the course of a series of comments
upon the condition of the Workhouses of the Metropolis, by a
writer in the "Lancet," that of Clerkenwell came in for its share.
The writer ably pointed out very numerous defects in the
structure of the building, and in the arrangements connected with
it. These were previously well-known to exist, although they
cannot be too frequently alluded to; and the necessity of providing
a new Workhouse has long been under the consideration of the
Guardians of the Poor of the Parish, and the Poor Law Commissioners.
The impossibility of finding and obtaining a suitable site, and
the very heavy increase of rating which would be requisite to
provide the necessary funds, have caused the Guardians to take
time in their action, especially as it has not been shown that any
undue mortality is the result of the present arrangements.
The use of the very unsatisfactory tramp-wards has been
abolished by the provision of other and satisfactory premises, in
another part of the Parish.
The very objectionable dead-house has also been replaced by
a newly constructed one, in an open site, removed from the
Workhouse.
Model buildings. About the middle of the year, the
Corporation Buildings in the Farringdon Road, and the Cobden
Buildings in the King's Cross Road, were opened for occupation.
These buildings are, in many respects, very superior to those
containing the tenements occupied by the poor; each being provided
with its water-closet, water-supply, and dust-shoots.
But the massing together of such large numbers of people
presents great facilities for the diffusion of Zymotic diseases, and