View report page

62
throughout the sub-district, but most numerous in the thickly
populated parts. The close connection of Diphtheria with
bad house drainage cannot be doubted, and the following
case is typical of many others. A child three years old was
taken ill with Diphtheria, from which she died after removal
to the hospital. The scullery of the house was used as a
living room. The only trap between the scullery sink and
the drain was a bell trap, and on removing this there was a
powerful up current. Even while the bell was in its place an
offensive smell was present in the house, to remedy which
the mother had been in the habit of keeping a wet cloth over
the bell.trap. Such improper connection of waste pipes with
the drain is probably one of the commonest causes of Diphtheria
(as well as of Typhoid Fever). Until we arrive at the
consummation of sewers the contents of which are carried
without let or hindrance to the outlet, and thus the development
of dangerous putrefactive matters is prevented, it is
essential that all waste.pipes except soil.pipes should only be
indirectly in communication with the drain, and that the
soil.pipe should be freely ventilated. At the same time the
importance of frequent flushing of street sewers cannot be
exaggerated, and free ventilation of them. This is being
done in Clapham, and it is proposed to embrace every opportunity
of connecting sewers with the shafts of factories.
The number of deaths from Diarrhoea (18) was not so large
as might be expected, when we remember that the summer
months were exceptionally hot and dry.
Deaths from non-zymotic diseases.—The general table on
page 58 gives in sufficient detail the causes of death and
relative numbers. Respiratory diseases stand at the head
of the list, causing 18 per cent. of the total deaths, just exceeding
zymotic diseases which cause 17.5 per cent. Diseases of
the nervous system come next with 12.9 per cent., being
closely followed by Tubercular diseases, which cause 12.7 per