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and therefore in the Belgrave sub-district, where the births
are most numerous, that the highest mortality has happened.
Twenty-six out of the 31 deaths from bowel disorder occurred
in the Belgrave sub-district; and out of the 31 in
the whole parish, 29 were under 5, two over 60. When we
speak of preventable diseases, we would fain include under
that term not only diseases caused by poisonous emanations,
which may be got rid of by cleanliness and drainage, but
the effects of heat and cold likewise, which greater knowledge
and greater care may be expected to diminish. We have
often before spoken of the conditions under which diarrhoea
is prevalent, and of the extreme nicety in diet, and particularly
in the quality of the milk to be given to young
children. Even with all care great heat will disorder some
delicate children; but it is a source of mischief that may be
guarded against more often than it is.
The following entries in the Register show one of the
real causes of Death from diarrhoea:—
"20 August, 1863. No.— George Yard, Grosvenor
Square, m, 7 weeks, son of a domestic servant. Impaired
nutrition; brought up by hand; diarrhœa, aphthæ, convulsions,
5 weeks"
In the week ending 1st August, two infants, one ten
days old, the other three weeks, are returned as dying of
"inanition" i.e., starvation "from want of breast milk"
"4 July. No. Cumberland-street,f., 3 weeks, daughter
of a governess; diarrhœa, 3 days, from artificial food."
Passing over the small-pox, which shall be noticed presently,
we remark that the deaths from measles were few, but
those from scarlatina, and other maladies affecting the
throat, were heavy. Scarlatina, diphtheria, and croup together
destroyed 31 lives. These diseases give us the
greatest anxiety from their intensely contagious nature, and