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

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St James's 1858

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St James's, Westminster]

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29
that have been made in Burlington Arcade. The
dead part of the ceiling of the roof have been
removed, and glass frames, with spaces for ventilation
at the bottom, supplied in their place. This
has made the Arcade much lighter, and in consequence
the inhabitants are not exposed for so many
hours to the injurious atmosphere produced by the
burning of a large quantity of gas. Permission
has also been given by the Government to allow
the ventilation to the backs of the houses on the
east side through the dead wall facing the gardens
of Burlington House. The large growth of vegetation
which kept this wall continually moist, has
also been removed. It is to be hoped that the
inhabitants will not be slow to avail themselves of
the opportunity for increased ventilation which the
considerate permission of Her Majesty's First
Commissioner of Works has given them.
The proper ventilation of public buildings is a
matter of great importance in a sanitary point of
view, as there can be no doubt that the young and
susceptible take great harm from long exposure in
crowded and unventilated public rooms. I have
examined the public places of meeting in this
parish, and although they most of them have the
means of ventilation, I am not able to say to how
great an extent they may be employed. The
ventilation of public rooms should be of a kind
which, whilst it carries off impure air, admits fresh
air without producing the impression of cold on