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73
DIARRHCEA.
During the year 1907 there were registered in the Borough
of Lambeth 71 deaths from Diarrhoea, as compared with 272,
178 and 260 during 1906. 1905 and 1904 respectively (vide
p. 82, deaths from Enteritis).
Taking the statistics of the old Parish of Lambeth for 10 years
1891.1900), it will be seen that the annual average for Diarrhoea
(and Cholera) is 198.9, so that the figures for 1907 for the
Borough are 64.3 per cent. less.
Of these 71 deaths, 65 (i.e., 91.5 per cent.) were in children
under 5 years, and 58 (i.e., 81.7 per cent.) in infants under 1
year of age. August, September, October and November were
the most fatal months (see Table S). In this connection, it is
again interesting to note that the mean monthly air temperature
registered was, in June, 57.8 deg.; in July, 60.0 deg.; in
August, 61.6 deg.; in September, 58.7 deg. ; and in October,
51T deg. ; whilst the 4.ft. earth thermometer registered
56 deg. F. on June 29th, rising to a maximum 60 deg. F. on
August 15th to 20th, and sinking to 56 deg. F. again on
October 13th. 56 deg. F. is the socalled "critical" earth
temperature for Diarrhoea, i.e., the temperature at which the
germs of this particular disease begin to multiply, and prove
themselves dangerous.* Hence its importance statistically, in
connection with this disease, which, though it kills chiefly young
children, attacks at times persons of all ages—a fact not
generally recognised.
*The 4.ft. earth temperatures were taken in Regent's Park, and thanks
are due to Mr. Wm. Marriott, of the Royal Meteorological Society 70,
Victoria Street, S.W., for the information in connection therewith.