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73
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1909, there were registered in the
Borough of Lambeth, 118 deaths from Diarrhœa, as compared
with 150, 71, 272, 178 and 260 during 1908, 1907,
1906, 1905 and 1904 respectively (vide p. 92, 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 lor
Diarrhoea (and Cholera) is 198.9, so that the figures for 1909
for the Borough are 40.7 per cent. less.
Of these 118 deaths, 112 (i.e., 94.9 per cent.) were in
children under 5 years, and 99 (i.e., 83.9 per cent, in infants
under 1 year of age. August, September and October were
the most fatal months (see Table S). In this connection, it
is again interesting to note that the mean monthly air temperature
registered was, in June, 54.8 deg.; in July, 61.3
deg.; in August 62.7 deg.; in September, 55.2 deg.; and in
October, 52.5 deg.; whilst the 4-ft. earth thermometer registered
56 deg. F. on July 5th, rising to a maximum (about
63 deg. F. on August 17th or 18th, and sinking to 56 deg.
F. again on October 10th (about). 56 deg. F. is the socalled
"critical" earth temperature for Diarrhœa, i.e., the
temperature at which the germs of this 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 at times persons
of all ages—a fact not generally recognised.
*The 4-ft. 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.