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44
four in excess of the number in 1886, and exceeded the corrected
decennial average by sixteen. One hundred and seven of the
deaths were of children under five, including 95 under one year.
Of the total number, 100 were registered in twelve weeks, Juue
19th to September 10th inclusive. The deaths from diarrhoea
in London generally were 478 in excess of the corrected
decennial average, this increased mortality being attributable
to the long spell of hot weather in the third or summer quarter.
DiarrhŒa was prevalent in an epidemic form in the
Metropolis in the winter of 1886-7, many persons having been
severely prostrated by sudden onset of the complaint, attended
with cramps, sickness, and other symptons simulating English
Cholera. I heard of numerous cases in this Parish, but not of
any fatal case. I was unable to explain the cause of the
epidemic, nor was light thrown upon the subject in the medical
journals which took note of the facts.
CHOLERA.
Only one death from English Cholera was registered
in the course of the year. Outbreaks of Asiatic Cholera,
however, in different parts of Europe, kept attention alive
to the possibility of this country being invaded by that fell
disease at any time. It is satisfactory, therefore, to know
that the sanitary survey of the outposts, which the Medical
Department of the Local Government Board has been prosecuting
for some time past, has made satisfactory progress, and
issued in much improvement in our first line of defence. The
annual recurrence of this disease, moreover, in the parts
indicated, does not now excite the same alarm as in past times,
it being well understood that cholera is a malady that may be
prevented, or its extension minimised, by good sanitation, and
this country being not only prepared to deal with imported
cases, but, as it is hoped, in such a condition that if the disease
should be accidentally introduced, there would be no great