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Liverpool Legends Doctor Duncan |
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In
the 1840's the arrival of Irish refugees fleeing from the potato famine
caused the population of Liverpool to increase rapidly. The poor housing
of the city combined with the population increase inevitably led to a
high death rate. By the 1840's, Liverpool had the worst death rates in
the country with approximately 35 deaths per thousand of the population.
It was clear that the problem required urgent attention and in 1846, the
first ever Medical Officer of Health was appointed.
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Dr William Henry Duncan was born in Seel Street in 1805 and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1829. He submitted information concerning the poor sanitary conditions of the city to sanitary reformer, Edwin Chadwick. Duncan's findings concluded that a quarter of his patients were sharing airless cellar accomodation with up to 30 people. |
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The subsequent Chadwick report resulted with the passing of the Liverpool Sanitory Act in 1846, which was mirrored throughout the country. As well as the appointment of Duncan as Medical Officer of Health, the post of Borough Engineer was created. Duncan worked with Engineer, James Newlands, on improving public health and a new sewer system was installed in the 1850's. It was also at about this time that the first 'Public Bath and Wash House' was established. Dr Duncan remained in this post up to his death in 1863. Duncan had always maintained that the unsatisfactory housing conditions would eventually lead to a catastrophe and in 1848 it did. The Cholera disease struck the poverty stricken city and spread amongst the rich and poor in uncrowded, unventilated areas. By 1849 the disease was killing hundreds of people each week and it was several years before it eventually disappeared. When it returned in 1854, the cleaner streets, improved water supply and appearance of sewers greatly reduced the strength of the disease. |
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©2002 Timbo's Liverpool - copyright notice |
