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

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Mile End 1885

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hamlet of Mile End Old Town]

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11
1. That all the closets in the Hamlet are water-closets and
not privies, and that they should be provided with a
suitable water supply.
2. That moveable receptacles for dust should be provided,
but, failing to get this done, the Vestry should insist on
dustbins with covers being provided.
3. That the regulations made by the Vestry under the
tary Act of 1866, with regard to houses let in lodgings or
to members of more than one family, and approved by
the Local Government Board, should be put in force in
a greater number of cases.
4. That although the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwelling Act,
1863, had been put in force to some extent, further action
thereunder ought to be taken in several streets mentioned.
5. That the staff of inspectors should be increased.
6. That additional powers are necessary in order to regulate
the building of houses of the type of Norfolk House,
Stepney-green.
7. That the death rate as given by the Medical Officer to the
Vestry, showed that the death rate when compared with
the rest of of the Metropolis was low considering the
inhabitants are generally of the poorer classes, and that
the death rate as contended for on behalf of the Mansion
House Council shewed a still more favourable state of
affairs.
And speakinggenerally Mr. Cubitt Nichols reports "Although
"I think it most desirable some additional sanitary precautions
"should be adopted and a better supervision exercised, I do
"not consider the Hamlet to be in a bad sanitary condition, as
"the total number of houses reported by the Mansion House
"Council is but 508 or about 5 per cent. of the houses occupied
"either as lodging or tenement houses (10,000) and many of the
"defects complained of are not of a serious character."
The Vestry consider that the Report of Mr. Cubitt Nichols,
completely exonerates them from the charges of serious dereliction
of duty which had been so frequently made against them.
The Vestry had for some time previous to the enquiry been
considering how certain of the sanitary works in the Hamlet
might be better carried out and had referred the subject to a
Committee.
Carrying
out Sanitary
Work.
One of the evils existing is the inability of the Vestry to
compel any receptacle for dust except an ashpit to be provided.
The Vestry are advised that it is better in a sanitary point
of view not to have ashpits but some moveable receptacle.
They have accordingly issued circulars advising the use of
galvanized iron pails. It will be observed that Mr. Cubitt
Nichols concurs in this view.
The Vestry have also determined that in certain of the poorer
districts the dust shall be removed by men who are paid by the
day, so that there shall not be any incentive lor them to neglect
their work.