London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1857
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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proceedings which have been taken. The manner in which these works
were conducted, allowing the escape of impure creasote in the form of an
irritating vapour, necessitated the passage of the vapour through the
furnace and their consequent consumption; also the enclosure of the
works, so as to prevent the escape of creasote during the ladling process.
These the owner neglected to do until summoned, when he did everything
I required, and has so abated the nuisance, that the Factory is no
longer offensive or noxious to the neighbours. In another case we obtained
a decision against a Manufacturer, for neglecting to use properly
those means of preventing a nuisance, which he had erected under my
supervision. Another very important matter which I have brought under
your notice, has been the question of water supply, especially to the
houses of the poor. From the peculiarity of the law it has been
necessary to refer my Report to the Churchwardens and Vestry, as the
Board of Works has no power to compel the laying on of water for
domestic purposes. I have, however, succeeded in procuring a water
supply for the inhabitants of two streets, and trust to do so in several
others.
The Nuisances removed by Mr. Valentine, the Inspector of Nuisances, to a considerable extent under my direction, have been as follows:—
| Cesspools emptied, filled up, and drained into the sewer | 79 |
| Cesspools emptied | 52 |
| Horse, cow, pig, and vegetable refuse removed | 83 |
| Houses lime-washed and purified—houses repaired | 60 |
| Filthy places cleansed and purified | |
| Pigsties purified, repaved, or removed | 13 |
| Foul and offensive drains cleansed or reconstructed | 66 |
| Other Nuisances | 128 |
| Total | 486 |
As this quarter contains 14 instead of 13 weeks, the number of births
and deaths registered are considerably in excess of the average. The
total number of births registered in the District have been 656, and of
deaths 395; showing an excess of births over deaths of 261. The rate
of births to deaths in the whole of the Metropolis was 147 births to 100
deaths; whilst in Hackney it was no less than 164 births to 100 deaths :
which shows a very satisfactory state of the public health. In the 13
weeks, ending December 27th, there were 590 births against 568 in the
corresponding period of last year.
As regards the relative mortality, the Registrar General observes this
quarter, that " the increase was equivalent to to 1 in every 22 deaths."
This remark applies to the whole of London. Now in the 13 weeks of
this quarter, there were 361 deaths against a corrected average of 370
for 1856; and of 409 for the years 1853-4-5. This District has therefore
enjoyed a state of health above the average, whilst the whole of
London has been unusually sickly.
Of the total deaths, 395 in number, 182 occurred in Hackney Subdistrict,
(of which 44 happened in the East London Union and the
German Hospital); 107 in West Hackney; 26 in Stamford Hill; 55 in
South Hackney; and 25 in Stoke Newington Sub-district. Of the total