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(2). The neighbouring large Essex towns and Erith
shared in this excessive prevalence.
(3). The North-west part of St. Nicholas Ward and
North Woolwich were the districts most affected, but no
Wards were exempt.
(4). Many persons at all ages were affected, but 82 per
cent. of the deaths were in children under one year of age.
Nearly 20 per cent. of the whole population under one year
were probably affected by the disease.
(5). Infants entirely breast fed are for the most part
exempt from the disease, the great majority of the deaths
occurring among bottle fed children.
(6). There is no great difference as regards susceptibility
to the disease between children fed with fresh cows' milk and
those fed with condensed milk.
(7). It is probable that in the great majority of the cases
the infection gains access to the food in the home of the
patient.
(8). The disease is largely influenced by conditions of
soil and climate which are not under control.
(9). The principal causes which are preventable are dirty
habits, infection and improper feeding.
(10). There seems good reason to believe that a very
large number of the cases are due to personal infection. If
this is so it is probable that a few simple precautions would
prevent a very large proportion of the deaths from diarrhœa
which now occur year after year.