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81
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1904, there were registered, in the Borough
of Lambeth, 269 deaths from Diarrhoea,* as compared with 160
during 1903 (vide p. 91, 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 1904 for the Borough are 40'7 per cent.
more.
Of these 269 deaths, 261 (i.e., 97'03 per cent.) were in children
under 5 years, and 222 (i.e., 82.5 per cent.) in infants under 1
year of age. July, August and September were the most fatal
months (see Table S). In this connection, it is again interesting
to note that the mean monthly air temperature was in June, 58.5
deg.; in July, 66.2 deg.; in August, 62.4 deg.; in September,
55.8 deg.; and in October, 50.6 deg. ; whilst the 4-ft. earth
thermometer registered 56 deg. F. on June 21st, rising to a
maximum 64.0 deg. F. on several days between July 26th and
August 12th, and sinking to 56 deg. F. again on October 6th.
56 deg. F. is the so-called "critical" earth temperature for
Diarrhœa, i.e., the temperature at which the germs of this
particular disease begin to multiply, and prove themselves
dangerous.† Hence its importance statistically, in connection
with this disease, which, though it kills chiefly young children,
attacks persons of all ages—a fact not generally recognised.
* Including 4 deaths registered from Cholera-Nostras.
† The 4ft. earth temperatures were taken in Regent's Park, and thanks
are due to Mr. Wm. Marriott, of the Royal Meteorological Society, 70,
Victoria Street, S.W., for the information in connection therewith.
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