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83
[1903

DIARRHCEAL DISEASES.
For the second consecutive year the return of deaths from these diseases,
mainly of infancy, has been below the corrected average. The number
now to be recorded is 109 as compared with an average of 205 in the
eighteen years immediately preceding. These deaths are equal to a death-rate
of 0*32 per 1,000 as compared with a mean death-rate of o'6o which obtained in
the years just indicated. The number registered in the first quarter was 10, in the
second 10, in the third 65, and in the fourth 24. In the third quarter the
disease generally assumes an epidemic form, and it is then usually called
Epidemic Diarrhoea. As customary it began to assume this aspect in the early
part of July, when there were 7 deaths registered, increasing in intensity in
August when there were 16 deaths, and reaching its height in September when
42 deaths occurred.
The decreased mortality was without doubt due, in a considerable measure,
to the meteorological conditions which prevailed, as the disease is greatly
influenced by temperature of the air, temperature of the ground, and rainfall;