View report page

It will be seen from the foregoing table that the diarrhoea death-rate was in the period 1901-4
highest in Shoreditch (1.33) and lowest in Hampstead (0.20); in the year 1905, Fulham (1.29) had the
highest death-rate, the lowest obtaining again in Hampstead (0.13). The diarrhoea death-rates in
London in each of the four quarters of the year 1905, were as follows:—first quarter, 0.13 ; second
quarter, 0.18 ; third quarter, 2.28 ; and fourth quarter, 0.28 per 1,000 persons living.
The death-rate from diarrhœal diseases was in 1905 below the average of the preceding four
years. The temperature in the month of July was 4.5 deg. above the average of 50 years and
that in the months of August and September slightly below this average. In some of the annual
reports it is suggested that the efforts now being made to ensure the better feeding of infants is
probably responsible for some of the decrease in diarrhœal mortality. There is no doubt that, if as
the result of these efforts a larger proportion of mothers were induced to feed their babies at the
breast the rate of mortality should be affected by this circumstance alone.
An interesting effort is being made in Woolwich to obtain knowledge of diarrhœal diseases by the
institution of a system of voluntary notification of zymotic enteritis occurring during the months of
July, August and September. Dr. Davies states that 212 cases were notified during this period in 1905
and that 38 of this number died, giving a fatality rate of 18 per cent. Half the cases notified were
between 3 and 12 months of age, the largest number in any three months being between 3 and 8 months,
and he states " From inquiries made I have no doubt that the disease affects persons at all ages,but
is much more serious under the age of two and again in extreme old age." He found of 212 tenements
in which the affected persons lived that 39 were dirty, and that in 45 the number of persons to a room
was between 1½ and 2 persons.
The action taken upon the notification was that the houses were visited, usually by the lady
inspector, and a leaflet left and explained, in which advice is given as to cleanliness, feeding of infants,
disinfection, etc., mothers being especially cautioned to wash their hands before preparing the baby's
food. Any insanitary condition found in the house was remedied. Dr. Davies states that the probable
source of infection was discovered in 41 cases, in most of which the disease was prob ably
contracted from relatives who were suffering from the disease- Flies were complained of in two
instances.
Erysipelas.
The deaths from erysipelas in the Administrative County of London registered during 1905
(52 weeks) numbered 226.
1 See footnote (l) page 9.