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Time. Summer diarrhoea made its appearance in the district
somewhat earlier than usual this year. The first three deaths from
the disease were registered in the week ending July 2nd, these and
the deaths per week for the third quarter, the period with which this
report is concerned, are shown on the following chart.
It will be seen that the disease rapidly reached its maximum in
the week ending August 6th, and thereafter declined somewhat less
rapidly, till at the end of September it had practically ceased to
give rise to fatal cases. A parallel column showing the meteorological
record of the district would be instructive, but this is not
available. It is worth noting, however, that the disease did not
reach its maximum in London, nor indeed in most of the great
towns, until a fortnight later than was the case in this district.
With a view to collecting as many facts as possible, bearing on
the question of summer diarrhoea, 1 arranged early in the season for
the Woman Inspector to visit every house where a tatal case
occurred and to note, under certain headings, those conditions that
were likely to influence the disease. Of the 131 deaths, 121 have,
in this way, been fully reported upon. In the case of the remaining
10 deaths particulars as to age, sex and locality alone were ascertainable,
owing to the families in which they occurred having removed
before the visit was made, or for other reasons. Details as to the
numbers, sex and age at death in the three wards, are as follows:—