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a basement story to each, which is occasionally occupied as a dwelling,
although it is contrary to the terms of the Building Act to be so used. This
Act prohibits all such places, unless certain conditions are complied with,
from being used as habitable apartments. That portion of the area of this
court which is covered by buildings is about 520 square yards, which, if added
to the 402 square yards of open space contained in the length and breadth of
of the court, and divided by 211, the number of inhabitants, gives little more
than 4 square yards to each person!
When this place was specially visited by Sir. Coward, one of the Inspectors,
in 1861, it contained a population of 136, consisting almost entirely of
foreign Jews of the poorer class, among whom numerous instances of indecent
occupation were discovered. When visited again, in 1865, the population,
which was of the same class as on the former visit, had increased to 211, which
number the Inspector considers to be considerably understated, there being
great difficulty in obtaining accurate information on the subject. The cases
of indecent occupation, although not so numerous as on the previous inspection,
were still found to exist. The basements of some of the houses were again
occupied as dwellings, and notices were again served on the landlord to remove
the occupiers of these underground rooms.
The mortality of children under 5 years of age has been 272. This is
36.7 per cent. of the total mortality. In the corresponding quarter of the
previous year, the mortality of children under 5 years was in relation to the
total deaths 32.8 per cent. The deaths of persons above 80 were 12. One
person attained the age of 93, and a widow of a gentleman reached the
advanced age of 110 years.*
The uncertified deaths have been very few during this quarter, the total
number of such being only 3 ; of these, one is registered as convulsions, one as
inflammation of the lungs, and one decay of nature.
The number of inquests have been 80. Among the records of the Coroner.s
Court are 22 deaths caused by burns and scalds, 4 of children who were
suffocated in bed, 1 from suffocation from hooping-cough, 1 from rupture of
the aorta, 3 from privation, 1 (a child 2 years old) from accidental poisoning, the
poison not specified, 1 from exhaustion in childbirth from absence of skilled
assistance, and 1 from self-hanging.
The deaths in the Workhouse have been 106. Of these 22 were caused
by fever, and 1 by erysipelas. In the corresponding quarter of last year the
deaths were 115. In the course of the year terminating at Christmas last,
the deaths in the workhouse were 417. Of these 210 were in the house for a
period under 1 month and 51 under 2 months.
The deaths in the Workhouse and Hospital together have been 232, which
is 31.3 per cent. of the total deaths in the district.
The Medical Officers of the Union have attended 3,929 new cases of disease,
* This death is recorded in the week ending January 7th, 1865. From inquiry the
Registrar thinks that the age is correctly stated.