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27
It will thus be seen that the past year compares very
favourably with 1904, due, I believe, to the more favourable
weather conditions.
The rain-fall for the months of July and August, ot
this and last year, was:—
1904. 1905.
July 1.59 inches 1.30 inches.
August 66 „ 2.29 „
It has been shewn that Summer Diarrhoea amongst
infants, is most prevalent when the earth temperature at the
depth of 1 foot, reaches 59 deg. F., to 62 deg. F. Naturally
this occurs when the rain-fall is less, and the Sun is more
powerful, viz:—in July and August, and possibly part of
September.
This condition is most favourable to the growth of all
kinds of Bacteria, which develop rapidly in all forms of milk
food.
There is no doubt that the number of children fed from
the bottle, is on the increase, and especially in Urban
Districts; partly due to disinclination on the part of some
mothers to suckle their children, but more often, I believe,
the mother in Urban Districts is becoming more and
more unable to herself provide her child with milk that is
sufficient in quantity and suitable in quality.
The following is a table shewiug the average rate of
infants dying under 1 year of age, per 1,000 births:—