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35
1895, there were also twice as many deaths from diarrhoea as
in 1894. During the water famine last summer in the East
of London, there was an enormous increase in the mortality
from diarrhoea. It is during periods of drought that the
so-called constant supply becomes more and more intermittant,
and opportunities for contamination more frequent.
During the frost also, the death-rate throughout London,
continued to increase, and did not begin to fall till after the
thaw.
In this District, during the four weeks ending March 2nd,
the death-rate was as high as 35 per 1000. In London during
the four weeks ending March 9th, the rates were 29.3, 34.0,
38.5 and 41.2 per 1000.
I think that the neglect of cleanliness induced by the
difficulties of obtaining sufficient water during frost and
drought, has its share in producing a lowered vitality and
increased mortality.
It is well known to physiologists that if an animal's skin is
covered with an impermeable substance, such as a coating of
gelatine or varnish, the animal soon dies.
So by neglect of cleanliness the excretion of poisonous waste
products by the skin is hindered, and greater stress is put upon
the other excretory organs of the body, causing, in many cases,
lowered vitality, and in some inflammatory diseases of these
organs, e.g., the lungs and bowels, which may cause death.
If a "constant" water supply cannot be supplied it is
desirable that the old cisterns, which are constantly liable to
contamination, should be replaced by more sanitary ones, such
as one that would be practically an enlargement of the service