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104
amount of information regarding the incidenoe of this disease,
information which is more complete than would have been
ascertained from the death returns. It must not be assumed
that the number of notifications indicates the prevalence of
the disease, and I have little doubt from personal observation
and from the experience of the Health Visitors, that
many cases of zymotic enteritis were not notified. Summer
diarrhœa attacks persons at all ages, but it is amongst young
children that most of the deaths occur. As compared with
previous epidemics, notably 1911, the incidence of the
disease was lessened and the mortality rate was diminished,
in both cases these figures being about 50 per cent. of those
in 1911. The infantile mortality death.rate from diarrhœa
is high as can be seen from the Table on page 108 giving the
death.rates amongst infants under 2 years in London boroughs.
In Woolwich only 4 deaths occurred between 1—2 years of
age, the remainder occurring under 1 year. Diarrhœal diseases
were the chief cause of infant deaths during the past year
or it may be said that the proportion of diarrhœa deaths
was much higher in Woolwich than in London as a whole.
In July it was recognised that it was likely we should be
visited with a severe epidemic of summer diarrhœa, and
steps were taken to warn all medical practitioners that this
disease was notifiable. At the same time a simple handbill
of advice to parents was printed and circulated by means of
the Welfare Centres. The local press very kindly printed
excerpts of the handbill. Special rapid inspections were
made by the Sanitary Inspectors in the affected areas to
secure the rapid abatement of acute nuisances. The Home
for Ailing Babies was reserved for cases of summer diarrhœa
during August and September.