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56. Table VIII. shows that the principal mortality from
diarrhoea was in September and October, and that this did not
commence for two months after the 3-foot thermometer had
reached 59°. There was heavy fall of rain in the third week
of August and the second week of September.
57. The table given above shows the River Ward North
had far the highest death rate from diarrhoeal diseases and
St. George's, Eltham, and Herbert Wards the lowest. There
has been a marked improvement in the diarrhoeal mortality
of River, Dockyard, St. George's and Eltham Wards.
58. It is much to be regretted that I do not receive copies
of registration of births in the same way as is done with
deaths. It would then be possible to instruct mothers by
leaflets, as to the best mode of feeding infants, just at the time
when such instruction was most needed. The slight expense
this would entail is the merest trifle compared with the advantage
that would probably result. I may mention that the
leaflet in use in the Borough for this purpose, was referred to
in an article by General Sir F. Maurice, in the January number of
the " Contemporary Review," an article which ably enforced
the great need that exists for educating mothers in this way.
Erysipelas.
59. There were 98 cases of erysipelas notified, compared
with 72 in the previous year. There was only one death from
this cause as in 1901.
Puerperal Fever.
60. There were 11 cases of Puerperal Fever, compared with
8 in 1901. There were 6 deaths, compared with 3 in 1901.
Four cases were in Woolwich Parish, five in Plumstead, and
two in Eltham. Seven were attended in the confinement by a
c