View report page

50
2.—Non-Notifiable Diseases.
Chickenpox.
673 cases of chickenpox were notified voluntarily.
Diarrhoea.
The number of corrected deaths registered from diarrhcea is 23, as
compared with yearly averages of 191.6, 219.4, 208.6, 140.2, 178.2, and
77.4 during the six quinquennia 1891-1895 (Parish), 1896 1900
(Parish), 1901-1905 (Borough), 1906-1910 (Borough), 1911-1915
(Borough), and 1916-1920 (Borough) respectively. All the 23 deaths
registered occurred amongst children under 5 years of age, and 20, i.e.,
86-9 per cent., amongst infants under 1 year of age.
The decrease in the number of registered diarrhcea deaths during
1924 is remarkable, the numbers for the past 3 years being 124 (1921),
35 (1922), and 46 (1923) respectively.
During 1924, the 4 ft. earth thermometer first registered 56°F. on
June 20th, rising to a maximum of 62°F. on July 18th, and remaining
at such maximum only for six days, sinking to 56°F. again on October
nth. The interrelationship between this particular disease and the
4 ft. earth temperature has long been noted, so much so that the latter
is known as the critical earth temperature in connection with all
diarrhoeal diseases, being the temperature at which the particular germ
or germs that are the cause or causes of diarrhceal diseases, especially
of infantile zymotic, or summer, diarrhoea, take on virulence and
become so fatal to infants and young children. The deaths from
diarrhcea should have been larger in number in view of the readings of
the 4 ft. earth thermometer. The cause of the decrease in diarrhoeal
mortality (and corresponding morbidity) may reasonably, and fairly, be
explained by the Council's activities in maternity and child welfare
work throughout the Borough, having regard to the recognised fact
that the causes of an increased diarrhoeal rate are to be found in the
improper and irregular feeding of infants and young children.
26 corrected deaths (23 infants under 1 year of age) were registered
from enteritis.