Enquiries, inspections and reports

THE MORAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITION OF WORKING CLASS, 1832:

• one of the first detailed reports into the condition of a specific group
• data was collected by Dr James Kay
• he was one of the first people to demonstrate a link between dirt and disease
• as well as mentioning the fact dirt and diet affected the health of working people
• he said that 'dirty' habits led to a 'dirty' lifestyle
• this was important because it set the scene for later legislation

CONNECTION BETWEEN POOR LAW AND PUBLIC HEALTH:

• London was hit by a typhus epidemic which increased the amount of people applying for relief
• East London guardians spent the poor rates on removing filth from streets and prosectuing negligent landlords
• they were clearly acting on the connection with epidemics and living conditions
• Edwin Chadwick argued that disease caused pauperism and thought that preventing of disease would prevent pauperism
• commissioners agreed and authorised a study on the environment and disease in the worst areas of London for a pilot study
• there were three doctors that Chadwick chose, Southwood Smith, Neil Arnett and James Kay
• Arnott and Kay investigated Wapping, Ratcliff and Stepney in London
• Southward Smith brought his attention to Bethnal and Whitechapel
• suggested how the situation could be improved in the REPORT…