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86
INFANTILE DIARRHOEA.

It will be noticed that relatively high air and ground temperatures have been associated
with low (weekly average) rainfalls and vice versa. If the years be grouped according to
rainfall, a reduction in the mortality is observed to accompany reductions in mean
temperatures, and the average mortalities for the rainfall groups diminish as the rainfall
increases. In other words, the mortality is a resultant of the combined effects of temperature
and rainfall, varying directly as the former and inversely as the latter—a conclusion which
lends support to the (comparatively new) theory of the transmission by flies of the matcries
morbi.
Experience has demonstrated that a very potent factor in the causation of infantile diarrhoea
is the increasing practice of hand-rearing of children, associated with the use of unsuitable
foods. This knowledge was used to secure the co-operation of the Health Society to provide
a supply of milk and other preparations deemed suitable for very young children attacked
with diarrhoea. Arrangements were made with the Staffs of the Out-Patients' Departments
of St. Mary's and the Children's Hospitals, and Ihe Poor Law Medical Officers, whereby
information of cases receiving treatment was obtained daily. All patients suffering from
diarrhoea were visited by the Women Inspectors, who carried out certain enquiries, some of
the results of which have now to be reported. A special leaflet of precautions deemed
suitable was circulated, a reprint of which is appended to this Report.
In conjunction with the above work, specimens of fasces, milk and flies were collected and
sent to the Lister Institute for bacteriological investigation, and of flies (at the request of the
Local Government Board) for determination of the varieties.
The campaign (as it may be called) lasted from the last week of July until the end
of October. During that period 301 entries were made in the "Diarrhoea Register,"
108 from St. Mary's Hospital, 56 from the Children's Hospital, 23 from the Poor Law Medical
Officers, and the remainder from various other sources. The largest number of entries (141)
was made in August, October being next with 76. In July and September the numbers
were 16 and 62 respectively. During the week ended August 15th there were 41 entries
(the maximum), the return for the next being, however, only 3 fewer. After making all
necessary corrections for age, &c., a nett total of 248 cases is obtained, all the patients