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59
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1899 there were registered in Lambeth
249 deaths from Diarrhœa, as compared with 254 during
1898, and an average of 188.3 for the last 10 years. Of
these 249 deaths, 228 (i.e., 91.6 per cent.), were in children
under five years, and 198 (i.e., 79.5 per cent.) in infants
under one year of age. August and September were the most
fatal months (see Table S), though the disease was prevalent
also during July and October. In this connection, it is
again interesting to note that the mean monthly air
temperature was in June, 60.7°; July, 65.7°; August, 65.7°;
September, 57.7°; and October, 49.1°; whilst the 4-ft. earth
thermometer registered 56°F. on June 13th, rising to a
maximum 65°F. on August 13th, and sinking to 56°F. again
on October 9th. 56°F. is the so-called "critical" earth
temperature for Diarrhœa, i.e., the temperature at which
the germs of this particular disease begin to multiply and
prove themselves dangerous.*

*The 4-ft. earth temperatures were taken in Regents Park, and I beg
to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Wm. Marriott, of the Royal
Meteorological Society, for the information in connection therewith.