[Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough.

  • Chatham (Kent, England). Borough Council.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the hand-to-mouth character, whose capac'ity for work is extremely limited, and frequently comlnned with a rooted ohjection to its per- formance; in other words, the loafer element is too prevalent. In my Report for 1912 1 stated that the worst and most in- sanitary type of house was the back-io-back, and that there were about 160 of them in the Boroug'h. This was an under-estimate. Since that <late a list has been carefully prepared, and in the early part of 1913 there were some 200 houses of the bacT-tO'-back type, l)esides which there were nearly 400 dwellings not back-to l)ack, but devoid of adequate through ventilation, especially on the upper floors. On the completion of these lists I obtained the names of several owners and communicated wdth them, offering to meet them on the premises, and confer with them as to the best means of securing satis- factory ventilation. These letters referred entirely to the class of house where through ventilation could be secured, and not tO' back-to- l)ack dwellings. As a rule there was no difficulty in securing the owner’s co-operation, and as a result of this branch of the wajrk I have to record the following : — Number of non-through houses respecting which letters were sent to the owners and interviews arranged no Number in which work has l)een completed no Number of new windows put in, includii'ig houses dealt with under Sections 15 and 17 326 'fhe result has l)een a marked change in the character of the houses dealt with, and many of the tenants have ex])ressed their ap})reciation and gratitude for the additional light and air, and as a further result, cleanliness. Owners who olq'ected at first have been convinced of the benefits of the work, and there is nO' comparison between the foul, stuffy atmosphere wdik'h used to- prevail and the more wholesome one which now obtains. In several cases owners have voluntarily undertaken other work, have cleansed and repaired in- teriors, provided sink and water supiily, and improved washhouse accommodation, but in other cases only the bare requirements of additional ventilation were carried out, and other necessary improve- ments have required the issue of statutory notices. f'o a great extent I have di.sc()ntinued the intimation notices, and for the reason just stated prefer to act under Sections 15 or 17 of the 1909 Act, and whenever desired 1 still ('ontinue to meet owners or their representatives, with the most benefi('ial results. 'fhe following table, drawn u]') in accordaiu'e with Article V. of the Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations, gives particulars of the work carried out in respeiU to housing during 1913 : —