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105
INFANTILE MORTALITY DURING THE
THIRD QUARTER, 1906.
(,Special Report presented to the Council on Dec. 20th, 1906.)
The past summer has been abnormally warm and dry—
meteorological conditions that are favourable to a high
infantile mortality rate, due to the exceptional prevalence of
epidemic diarrhoea. The temperature was above the average
in July, August and September—there being great heat at
the end of August and at the beginning of September, the
rainfall was very slight, and the barometer high.
It is interesting to examine the mortality statistics for the
3rd quarter of the year 1906, in so far as Lambeth Borough
is concerned, more especially when it is remembered that the
3rd (or summer) quarter of the year is the crucial period of
infantile mortality in relation to the feeding of infants.
It is found that, when the 4ft. earth temperature reaches
56 degrees Fahrenheit and over, epidemic diarrhoea amongst
infants becomes common and infants die off in large numbers.
It is probable that some germ, or poison, is set free
at that particular 4ft. earth temperature, and passes into
infants' bodies either through food or through the air. As
the 4ft. earth temperature again falls and reaches 56 degrees
Fahrenheit, the infantile diarrhoea cases gradually disappear.
Along with the increase of the 4ft. earth temperature, there
is a corresponding increase in the mean temperature of the
air. Rain-fall also plays an important part, in that a dry
season increases the number of these deaths from infantile
diarrhoea. A high mean air temperature, a 4ft. earth temperature
of 56 degrees Fahrenheit and upwards, and a dry
season, ensure a high mortality amongst infants; whereas a
low mean air temperature, a 4ft. earth temperature of less
than 56 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wet season, are followed
by a very small number of such deaths. All these unfavourable
conditions with respect to infantile mortality obtained
during the 3rd quarter of 1906. The 4ft. earth temperature
registered 56 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of June and
continued above that temperature until the end of