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from being built back to back; and the back yards or small gardens
which are now attached to some houses, should not, unless under
such special circumstances as the Local Authorities may approve,
be built upon. Every house should be provided with an open space
in the rear, not only for ventilation, but for the purpose of erecting
thereon the necessary conveniences. Privies in the cellars of all new
houses should be prohibited, for they frequently become such intolerable
nuisances as to render the house unfit for habitation. London is
already overpopulated. It is, therefore necessary, for the well-being of
the people living in London, to afford every facility to new-comers to
live beyond the present boundary of the Metropolis. Legislation must
not only be directed towards the well-being of the inhabitants now
living in the Metropolis, but its future condition, as regards the health
of the people, must be considered. The annual rate of increase of
the population of London per cent, was, in 1861—71, 1.50, and in
1871—81, 1.61.
As some parts of London are becoming more and more densely
crowded, it behoves each District Board to prevent overcrowding in
every tenemented house, and a uniform system as regards overcrowding
should be adopted; for if one District be strict in limiting the
number of persons living in a room, and others are not so strict, it
will follow that some Districts will become so overcrowded as to be
dangerous to health; The health of the people ought to be the first
consideration of Sanitary Boards, and no room ought to be tenanted
which does not allow at least 300 cubic feet of space for each person;
and in every case the Sanitary Officers should see that the ventilation
of each room is properly provided for, and, if necessary,
enforced.
Sanitary Wobks Performed during the Quarter ended
1st April, 1882.
The following return shows the amount of work done by the Sanitary
Inspectors during the Quarter ended 1st April, 1882.
Number of inspections of houses as shown in the official returns 2050
Houses specially visited 170
Houses specially re-visited 680
Preliminary notices served, such notices embracing 268 premises 170
Compulsory orders issued, embracing 106 premises 47
Summonses heard at Police Courts, under Sanitary Act 1
,, under Act for the prevention of Adulteration of Food, &c. 1
Cellars used as dwellings discontinued for such use 1