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the first house in the court. These privies, which are built for the accommodation of the 60
persons living in these new houses, hut which may be used by all persons indiscriminately,
are, as may he supposed, in a very filthy condition, and are likely to be injurious to the
health of all the inhabitants in the court. Whether thesehouses have been legally erected or not,
must be determined by the legal construction of the 29 th Sec. of the Building Act. In my opinion,
a house cannot be sufficiently lighted or ventilated, which is not situated in a thoroughfare, and
where the space opposite to each room is less than 16 feet. The over-crowding in places
not sufficiently ventilated, is a matter which deeply affects the interests of the rate-payers,
who have to provide for the numerous cases of illness which are produced by these unhealthy
localities ; and unless the most strenuous efforts are made to prevent over-crowding, and the
further erection of houses in every vacant spot of ground, however unfit for such purpose, the
expenses which are now being incurred by the ratepayers, in extending the sewers, and in other
sanitary improvements, will not produce that amendment in the public health which is anticipated.
Other houses in an equally objectionable locality, where warehouses formerly existed,
are, I regret to say, now in the course of erection in the district, which, if the law permit to be
completed and occupied as dwellings, will tend to deteriorate the public health, and a higher
death-rate will be the result; for it is a well-ascertained fact, that the rate of mortality, ceteris
paribus, depends upon the density of the population; and here, perhaps, I may be permitted
to draw the attention of the Board to the very valuable clause of the Building Act of 1844,
wherein it was enacted, that every alley must have two entrances, each being, at the least, the
full width of the alley, and one of the two, at the least, open from the ground upwards. Yet,
strange to say, the legislature, by a retrograde movement, repealed this act, with the exception
of those clauses relating to noxious trades. It is most earnestly to be desired that this wholesome
regulation, relating to the proper ventilation of courts and alleys, should be inserted in the
proposed Bill for amending the Metropolis Local Management Act. If the public is to enjoy
health, and a freedom from the ravages of epidemic disease, a stop must be put to the present
scheme of erecting houses in crowded situations ; for, although the rights of property are to be
respected, yet, in my opinion, such rights are of secondary consideration when compared with
the public health, and the increased burdens which must be borne by the ratepayers to support
those whose sickness is occasioned by the unhealthiness of the localities where they reside.
During the year 1858, the Medical Officers attended no less than 11,718 sick paupers.
This number is exclusive of those who were attended in the workhouse.* Not only are the
ratepayers called upon to provide for the poor during sickness, but from the debility which is
occasioned by the over-crowded and ill-ventilated localities, labourers are unable to give " a
fair day's work for a fair day's wages" ; they are consequently not employed, and therefore
become chargeable to the rates. How important, therefore, is it for the local authorities to
diminish, as far as practicable, the existing over-crowding, and prevent—or if they have not the
power to prevent—at least, to remonstrate against the erection of every new building intended
for the habitation of the poor, which is not sufficiently lighted or ventilated! The importance
of sufficient space and ventilation to the health of horses and cattle is now well understood,
and is almost universally acted upon by the holders of this kind of property; but until
society at large feel the same pecuniary value in the health of their fellow citizens as is shown
by the class above alluded to, effectual means will not be adopted to effect those objects. There
is every reason to believe that by improved sanitary regulations, the death-rate, which is now
24 in 1000, would be reduced to 16 in 1000.
* In addition to this number relieved at the expense of the union, there are several thousands annually relieved by
the London Hospital, and the two dispensaries which are situated in the district.