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29
Consumption is a common cause of pauperism, for it leads to a
tremendous loss of labour each year and sufferers come upon the
rates in considerable numbers, many finding their way to the workhouse
infirmaries with the disease in a hopelessly advanced stage.
These latter constitute a great danger to the other inmates, and doubtless
sometimes spread infection, It would, therefore, be well if Boards
of Guardians made special provision for housing such cases quite apart
from others. Power might be obtained for different boards to
combine for such a purpose as well as to make some provision for the
isolation and treatment of the disease in its earlier stages, with the
view to cure. Expenditure for such purposes would in all probability
prove a profitable investment of public moneys, and, for certain, a
valuable public health measure.
During the year, when application was made for permission to
disinfect rooms in which deaths from consumption had occurred,
the permission was granted in respect of over 60 per cent, of the
applications.
SUMMER DIARRHŒA.
The Stoke Newington mortality returns show a marked decrease
in the number of deaths from Diarrhœa, notwithstanding the exceptional
heat of July and August.
Prior to the second week in July the weekly number of deaths
from Summer Diarrhoea had been for a long time below the mean of
the corresponding period of the preceding ten years, but subsequently,
for several weeks, those deaths considerably exceeded
the mean. This exceptional rise in the mortality from
Diarrhoea was determined by the fact that the mean daily temperatures
had been exceptionally high, for there are sufficient reasons
for believing that the essential cause of the complaint resides in the
soil, from which it issues under favourable meteorlogical conditions
(more especially of temperature) to gain access to air, water and food.
It is especially important, therefore, in the summer months to take
every possible means of ensuring the freedom of these necessities of
life from c ntamination. The chief means of reducing the mortality
from Summer Diarrhoea is by giving nothing but well-boiled liquid