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165
[1913
1st decade 79.1 per cent.
2nd „ 12.5 „
3rd „ 7.8 „
4th „ 0.6 „
100.0
These figures do not quite tally with those of Miiller, given below,
although they show that by far the greater proportion of patients are under
ten years.
Reece. Miiller.
1st decade - - 79.1 per cent. - 96 per cent.
2nd „ - - 12.5 „ - 2
3rd „ - - 7.8 „ 2
When Recce's figures arc further examined in quinquennial periods, it is
found that the larger proportion of cases occurs in the first five years of life.
1st five years - - - 47.0 per cent.
2nd „ - - 32.0 „
3rd „ - - 9.1 „
4th„ - - 3.2 „
5th „ - - 1.9 „
6th „ - - 1.9 „
7th „ - - 1.3 „
8th „ - - 1.9 „
These figures may be considered sufficient to prove that the disease is
practically confined to early life, and particularly to its first decade.
Seasonal Prevalence.—The disease seems to prevail in the late summer
and early autumn, which Wickman has very clearly shown in the report of his
investigations into a Swedish epidemic in 1905. when he found that in the early
months of the year it was practically negligible, and that not until May was
its curve of real consequence, that it then gradually rose until it reached its
highest point in August, from which time it decreased until the close of the
year. In the Hesse-Nassau epidemic of 1909, however, the curve did not
reach its maximum until October, from which time it rapidly decreased to
December, when it reached its minimum. Wickman's observations are supported
by an Australian epidemic, in which the disease was most prevalent during
March and April, which there correspond to our summer.