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1912]
64
the average temperature was nearly a degree and a half above the mean
temperature of 65 years, yet in August it was 4.8 degrees, and in September
4.2 degrees below it. Again, the rainfall was considerable, for in July it fell on 15
days, in August on 24 days, and in September on 12 days, which makes a
total of 51 days in the three months. In July the total rainfall was about three
quarters of an inch, but in August it was 4.30 inches, while in September
it was 1.58 inches, making a total of 5.64 inches for the quarter.
This rain kept the surface of the earth cool, so that its temperature was considerably
below the average. These factors, in addition to the cool winds
which prevailed for the most part during the quarter, reduced the diarrhœal
deaths very considerably, and as these are the principal cause of infant
mortality at this particular season, the deaths were naturally very few.
The meteorological conditions which prevailed last summer are thus seen to
have been exceptionally favourable to children, for at no period were they
extreme. As a matter of fact the year itself was probably one of the most
equable we have known for some time, and consequently it was favourable to
infant life.
The Medical Officer of Health can very well imagine that the opponents
of health visitors in the Borough will seize on the low infantile mortality
as a reason why these officials should not be appointed; but if they learn the
lessons of the year aright, they will see that instead of being an argument in
their favour, it is entirely against them. As a matter of fact nature, especially
in the summer quarter, has been teaching these great lessons to the community,
to keep their infants cool; to keep the food intended for their use cool; to
keep down the dust; and to keep the surroundings of their houses as well
as the houses themselves clean. The elements have for once been doing these
things, for the low temperature prevented the fermentation of foods; the rain
kept down the dust in the yards and in the streets, so that the food was not contaminated
by it, nor did the dust from the curtilege of the houses gain access
to them; while the cooling breezes kept the air in the houses sweet.
These are the great factors in infantile mortality, and if the lessons from
nature of last year could be inculcated into the minds of the people, there would
be fewer deaths among the infants of the Borough. But every person who
has studied this great question knows perfectly well that it is to the mother
alone we must look for that permanent improvement in this class of mortality,