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58
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1900 there were registered in Lambeth
153 deaths from Diarrhoea, as compared with 249 during
1899, and an average of 196.9 for the last 10 years. Of
these 153 deaths, 142 (i.e., 92 8 per cent.), were in children
under five years, and 126 (i.e., 82.4 per cent.) in infants
under one year of age. August and September were the most
fatal months (see Table S) though the disease was prevalent
also during July and October. In this connection, it is
again interesting to note that the mean monthly air
temperature was in June, 59.5°; July, 66.8°; August, 60.6°;
September, 57.9°; and October, 51.1°; whilst the 4-ft. earth
thermometer registered 56° F. on June 16th, rising to a
maximum 64.5° F. on July 29th, and sinking to 56° F. again
on October 16th. 56° 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.*

* The 4-ft. earth temperatures were taken in Regent's Park, and I beg
to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Wm. Marriott, of the Royal
Meteorological Society, 70, Victoria Street, S.W., for the information in
connection therewith.