Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St James's, Westminster]
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The conclusions arrived at by Dr. Dumbleton with regard
to the Walker's Court area, were summed up as follows:—
The most conspicuous sanitary defect in this area is the want of
sufficient through ventilation. This appears a theoretical defect, and
has manifested no practical significance. This defect has been produced
by an increasing demand for dwelling accommodation, which
has induced owners of property to build the nine cottages in Downs
Place, and the two at the back of No. 95, Wardour Street. So great
has been this demand for dwelling-rooms that, in some houses, the
staircase windows have been removed, and in their places hang doors
opening into small rooms, abutting against the back wall.
The difficulties that present themselves in making a representation
to the London County Council with regard to this area, are as
follows:—
(1) The Walker's Court area is a business centre, occupied by
respectable and apparently prosperous tradesmen, and can scarcely bebrought
under the provisions of an Act that deals with the "Improvement
of Artizans and Labourers Dwellings." The labouring classes
are met with in Downs Place and St. Peter's Buildings, but are not
numerous in other parts of the area.
(2) The area has undergone great improvement during recent
years, but few, if any, of the houses could now be classed as '• unfit
for human habitation."
(3) There is almost an entire absence of present sickness. There
is no zymotic disease. With regard to the occurrence of zymotic
diseases during the previous six years, this area will compare most
favourably with other parts of the parish.
(4) The sanitary defects can be remedied otherwise than by an
Improvement Scheme for the re-construction of the entire area.
Dr. Dumbleton concluded his report upon the Marlborough
Row area as follows:—
The difficulties that present themselves in making a representation
to the London County Council with respect to this area are as
follows :—
(1) The area has undergone considerable improvement within late
years, and the owners contemplate immediate reconstruction of three
houses in Carnaby Street and four in Marlborough Row.