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14
Medical Officer's Report.
The remarks as to disinfection, &c., after measles, apply also to
whooping cough.
DIARRHŒA.
The number of deaths assigned to diarrhoea was 29, of which 27 were
of children under five years of age, the great majority being infants under
one year of age, and took place in the third or summer quarter.
Of 4376 deaths assigned to diarrhoea in London, 3588 took place in
the third quarter, and 3461 were of children under one year of age.
Dr. Klein has found the bacillus enteriditis sporogenes associated with
many cases of diarrhoea, also in many samples of milk. He states that
"amongst the sources of this bacillus are the evacuations of cases of diarrhoea,
sewage, water, soil, and dust polluted with sewage; as also horses' dung."
The spores are highly resistant, and have a wide distribution in nature, so
that there is ample opportunity for them to gain access to milk and other
articles of food.
DISINFECTION.
During the year ending December, 1898—
322 rooms were fumigated and cleansed. The rooms were also stripped
and lime-whited when necessary.

Arrangements were made with the Clerkenwell Vestry for articles to be
disinfected in their new steam apparatus after the 24th June, 1898. Prior to
this the articles were disinfected by Messrs. Armfield & Sons.
The shelter at 47, Northampton Road (conjointly used by the Clerkenwell