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55
During the prevalence of summer diarrhoea there should be
no hindrance placed in the way of local authorities to remove
house or street refuse as frequent'y as the circumstances of
the moment required.
Of course the simplest, although, perhaps, somewhat
more expensive plan would be for the local authority to
employ its own men with its own plant.
I am of opinion that if these suggestions were adopted
in the Borough of Hackney infantile or summer diarrhoea
would soon come under control with a considerable diminution
in its mortality.
Measles.—During the early months of last year measles became
very prevalent in London, the Borough of Hackney suffering in
proportion. The outbreak realy began in December of 1910 in
Hackney, 7 deaths occurring during that month. These increased
until the maximum was reached in the months of March and April
after which the deaths, and with them the prevalence of the
disease, diminished until July, when the outbreak m?y be said to
have ceased. The following shows the number of deaths during
the months of the year 1911.

Of these 145 deaths no less than 132 occurred amongst
children under 5 years of age, and 30 under 1 year of age. The
above total shows an increase of 83 deaths over the number of
deaths from this disease registered during 1910. The mortality rate
for 1911 is -65 per 1,000, and that for London '57 per 1.000 living.