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85
infantile diarrhoea.
APPENDIX B.
Infantile Diarrhiea.
The deaths from the " diarrhoeal diseases "* numbered 60, 57 of the deceased persons
being under 5 years of age. The number of deaths in each Ward is given in the table below.
The mortality (per 1,000 persons of all ages) was 0*39, as compared with 0*31 in 1907,
and mean quinquennial rates of
0-63—1903-07; 1-07—1898-1902; 0-96—1893-97.
In two Wards (see below) the mortality last year was nil, the highest rate for any Ward being
that of Church Ward (0*62). In each case last year's mortality was below the quinquennial
mean rate.

The main interest in the " diarrhoeal diseases " lies in the mortality therefrom among
children under 5 years of age. As already stated, there were 57 deaths from these causes,
there having been 22 other deaths from " enteritis." The appended statement indicates that
the last is not due to the same causes as the other two, which are specially characterised
by their prevalence during the third and fourth quarters of the year, i.e., during the hottest
part of the year, the deaths during the fourth quarter occuring almost exclusively during the
first half thereof.
" Diarrhoea " Epidemic
Dysentery." (Zymotic) Enteritis." " Enteritis."
m. f. m. f. m. f.
1st Quarter 2 2 — — 3 4
2nd „ - 1 1 — 2 3
3rd „ 10 10 13 3 4 2
4th „ 4 5 4 2 3 1
Year 16 18 18 5 12 10
It is usual to take the deaths during the third quarter of the year as the index of the
mortality from "summer diarrhoea" among infants. During the past ten years the numbers
* The "diarrhoeal diseases" are "diarrhoea, dysentery" (37 deaths) and "epidemic (zymotic) enteritis" (23
deaths). There were also 23 deaths from " enteritis." In scheduling the certified causes of death, the rules laid
down by the Society of Medical Officers of Health have been followed.