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26
These figures are somewhat conflicting. In 1900 I was inclined
to think that the balance of evidence was in favour of some
specific organism, not necessarily connected with artificial feeding,
but in 1901 the figures seem to favour the hypothesis that artificial
feeding is favourable to the growth of such organism, if such there
be.
The annual mortality rate of 1,000 persons living for diarrhœa
in this District during the past three year have been:—
1899 2.09
1900 3.1 (This year should be higher on
corrected population)
1901 2.61
Every effort is being made to remedy all sanitary defects, such
as ill paved yards, leaky or blocked drains, accumulations of
rubbish, &c., to store cows milk after boiling in stoppered vessels,
&c., &c., and yet I am bound to confess the results so far are not
very encouraging. The objection to parents allowing their children
to enter hospital until in a moribund condition has rendered that
method of treatment up to the present abortive.
The question of providing a sterilizer or pasteurizing milk supply
during July, August, and September, is now having consideration,
and I intend to personally inspect the cowsheds and milkshops
during the coming season.
Notification I believe to be the only means of dealing with the
disease, as the milk supply condition of premises is discovered and
remedied sooner than any other way that I know of. For financial
reasons it will not be proposed this year. The question is
worthy of the strictest investigation, especially from a bacteriological
point of view, and it seems to me by far the most serious item
with which the Health Authority of this District has to deal.