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43
East Ham.
Dealing with our district, I am pleased to say that all the
rates are remarkably low. The male death-rate from Tuberculosis
of the Lungs is by far the lowest in the Kingdom, being
the only one of three figures (see Tables). The female deathrate
is with one exception the lowest, and the exception
mentioned is only for part of a town.
From "other forms of Tuberculosis" only two towns
have a lower male death-rate, while ihe rates for females and
children under five are also very favourable.
It will also be noticed that in East Ham the death-rates
for the two sexes are practically equal.
It is impossible to be dogmatic as to the cause or causes
concerned in producing the above conditions. I am of opinion,
however, that the following are probably the most important
factors :—
SITUATION.—This is very favourable. On three sides of
the Borough there is a belt of open country. On the north are
Wanstead Park and Flats (1,700 acres), on the south is the
River Thames, and on the east the River Roding, with much
undeveloped land in the valley of this stream. It is only in the
west that it is closed in by the adjoining Borough of West
Ham. The presence of this open country on three sides,
together with the many parks and open spaces in the Borough,
no doubt exercises a favourable influence in connection with
this disease.
HOUSING.—The district is practically all of recent
develjpment; the housing is therefore above the average, being
all of modern construction. There are no back-to-back houses,
and there is an entire absence of the narrow courts, alleys, and
slums, which are more or less present in all older towns. This
is, without doubt, a very important factor.