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22
DIARRHCEA.
This disorder was very prevalent in Shoreditch from the last week in July until
the first week in October, and during that period it caused a marked elevation of the
death-rate. During the month of July the deaths from diarrhoea numbered 21, in
August there were 82, in September 81, and during October 12. Diarrhoea was
prevalent in London during August and September, and caused a marked rise in the
metropolitan death-rate.
Excluding 61 deaths from enteritis, the deaths attributed to diarrhoea numbered
216, of which 165 were of children under the age of one year, 36 of children aged
between one and fifteen years, and the remaining 15 were of persons aged 35 years
and upwards. The death-rate from diarrhoea in Shoreditch was 1.79 per 1,000
inhabitants, as compared with 1.74 last year.
The deaths from diarrhoea in London amounted to 4,378, of which, upwards of
3,300 occurred during August and September. The number of deaths exceeded that
of 1897, during which year most deaths occurred in the months of July and August.
The metropolitan diarrhoea death-rate was 0.97 as compared with 0.91 per 1,000 in
1897.
In the subjoined table are contained the number of deaths from diarrhoea,
together with the death-rates due to this disorder in Shoreditch and London during
the vears 1892-98:—

There was one case of cholera certified in August. The patient, a man aged
about 40, a cane maker by trade, was taken ill on August 13th, with slight diarrhoea.
On August 15th, the diarrhoea was very severe, and was attended with vomiting and
cramps in the limbs. The case terminated fatally on August 18th. The body was
removed to the mortuary and the premises were disinfected. There was no history
of any recent illness amongst the inmates of the house, which was occupied by
members of more than one family. The house was not so clean as it might have
been, otherwise it was in fair sanitary condition. The water closet was in the
yard and was defective, and the yard itself was in a dirty condition. The deceased