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83
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1903, there were registered, in the Borough
of Lambeth, 160 deaths from Diarrhœa, as compared with 159
during 1902 (vide p. 85, deaths from Enteritis).
Taking the statistics of the old Parish of Lambeth for 10 years
(1891-1900), it will be seen that the annual average is 188.4, so
that the figures for 1903 for the Borough are 15.1 per cent,
less, which fact, considering the greater care exercised by medical
practitioners in nomenclature, on the lines of the recommendations
of the Report of the Royal College of Physicians of
London, is highly satisfactory, though the small average heat,
and other climatic conditions, during the summer months of
1903 must be remembered, and taken into account in connection
therewith.
Of these 160 deaths, 153 (i.e., 95.6 per cent.) were in children
under 5 years, and 123 (i.e., 76.9 per cent.) in infants under 1
year of age. August and September were the most fatal months
(see Table S), though the disease was prevalent also during
October. In this connection it is again interesting to note that
the mean monthly air temperature was in June, 56.9 deg.; July,
62.6 deg.; August, 66.5 deg.; September, 58.8 deg.; and October,
50.3 deg.; whilst the 4ft. earth thermometer registered 56 deg.
F. on June 30th, rising to a maximum 60.4 deg. F. on several
days between July 19th and 31st, and sinking to 56 deg. F.
again on October 13th. 56 deg. F. is the so called "critical"
earth temperature for Diarrhœa, the temperature at which
the germs of this particular disease begin to multiply, and prove
themselves dangerous*
The 4ft. earth temperatures were taken in Regent's Park, and thanks are
due to Mr. Win. Marriott, of the Royal Meteorological Society, 70, Victoria
Street, S.W., for the information in connection therewith.