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9
Distribution.—The cases occurred—
(1). Mainly in the poorer parts of the town;
(2). In the newer streets where the birth-rate is higher;
(3). There is a distinct inclination to small groups of
cases;
(4). The district between Plumstead High Street, and
the Railway (including the Reidhaven Road District) and
North Woolwich are specially affected. These districts contain
for the most part a poor population with a high birthrate;
they also lie low, and consequently the level of the
ground water in them is high; and lastly, they are to a
certain extent built on made ground.
The North River Ward has had the highest diarrhœa
death-rate proportional to births in each of the previous three
years, and the St. Nicholas Ward has had the next highest
rate in two of those years.
Woolwich compared with London and other Towns.— The
death rate from diarrhœa in the Borough during the third
quarter was 4.52 compared with 3.39 in the County. Only
four Boroughs had a higher rate, viz: Bermondsey, Fulham,
Poplar, Shoreditch. East Ham, West Ham, Leyton and other
Essex towns had a higher rate than Woolwich, and in Erith
the rate was nearly the same. In the three preceding years
the diarrhœa death rate was lower in Woolwich than in the
County.
Summary.
(1). Woolwich had in the Summer Quarter of
1903, an excessive prevalence of Zymotic Diarrhœa, compared
with previous years, and with other London Boroughs.