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16
INFANT MORTALITY.
The statistics for infant mortality are exact, because,
whilst the rates in general are worked on the basis of an estimated
factor, viz., the population, the infant death rate is
calculated on the actual number of births registered in the
year.
Out of the 17 registered deaths taking place before one
year, 7 were in a sense unavoidable, as 6 were due to
prematurity and 1 to suffocation. It is also (noticeable that 11
of the total occurred in the first 4 weeks of life.
The infant mortality of a district is largely influenced by
summer or epidemic diarrhoea. Although 1 death was registered
from epidemic diarrhoea, 2 deaths out of 4 were caused
by gastro-enteritis or enteritis in the late summer and early
autumn. As soon as the earth temperature, 4 feet
below the surface, .began to register 56 degrees, a
temperature which experience has proved to be associated
with the disease, the following pamphlet, approved by the
Public Health Committee, was delivered to every house ;n
the District.
Merton Urban District Council.
SUMMER DIARRHCEA IN INFANTS.
Important Notice.
Summer diarrhoea in children, specially up to two
years of age, is a serious disease, parents ought therefore
to at once consult their doctors on the very outset of the
complaint.
It is caused by germs which live specially in polluted
soil, and gain entrance into the body through the mouth
by means of contaminated food, milk, etc. All yards