View report page

76
The increase in the Diarrhoea deaths during 1906 must be
read in connection with the extraordinary meteorological
conditions that obtained during the summer months (June to
September). The barometer was high (except during portion of
August) and the temperature was above the average during July,
August and September with an exceptional heat wave from
August 29th to September 3rd, during which the temperature
varied from 85 deg. to 95 deg. F. Further, sunshine was
abundant, rainfall slight (except 2 or 8 heavy falls, e.g.,
June 28th), wind light in force, and the air extremely dry.
The meteorological conditions were conducive to a very high
mortality rate from Diarrhoea amongst infants and children
during the summer of 1906, but the statistics show that the
increase in the infantile mortality from this cause was not
pro rata. It would seem that the preventive measures being
taken in Lambeth (not to mention the influence of the milk
depot) are beginning to bear fruit.
TUBERCULOSIS.
During 1906, 411 deaths were registered in Lambeth Borough
as due to phthisis (tuberculosis of the lungs), 75 as due to
tabes mesenterica and tubercular meningitis, and 76 as due to
other forms of tuberculosis, making a total of 562 deaths from
tuberculosis (all forms)—i.e., 11.9 per cent. of the total deaths
(corrected) registered from all causes. The total deaths within
the Borough during 1905, 1904, 1903, 1902 and 1901 from all
forms of tuberculosis were 582, 621, 639, 701 and 695 respectively.
Sub-dividing the tuberculosis deaths during 1906
amongst the different Registration Sub-Districts, it is found that
the rates (per 1000 living) vary as follows:—