Scientific American Supplement, No. 455, September 20, 1884Various
Science
Scientific American Supplement, No. 455, September 20, 1884
Various
Science -- Periodicals
The proportionate number of deaths at _all ages_ from diarrhoea corresponds
pretty closely with those of infants. To prove this, I made calculations
for three years, and ascertained that only 3.9 per cent. of all the deaths
from this disease were registered in the weeks having a temperature of
less than 50°; 11.9 per cent. in the weeks having a temperature between
50° and 60°; while in the comparatively few weeks in which the temperature
exceeded 60° F., as many as 84.2 per cent. of the total number of deaths
was registered. In the sixteen years, 1840-56, for which many years ago I
made a special inquiry, only 18.9 per cent. of all the deaths from
diarrhoea occurred in winter and spring, against 81.1 per cent. in summer
and autumn. In the twenty years, 1860-79, there were seven years in which
the summer temperature was in defect when the mortality per 100,000
inhabitants of London was 200; while in ten summers, during which the
temperature was in excess by 2° or less, the mortality was 317 per
100,000. The mean temperature was largely in excess, that is to say, more
than 2° plus in three of these summers, when the mortality reached 339 per
100,000 inhabitants.
These figures show that great care should be taken in hot weather to
prevent diarrhoea, especially among young children; by frequent washing
with soap and water to insure cleanliness, and proper action of the skin;
by great attention to the food, especially of infants fed from the bottle;
free ventilation of living rooms, and especially of bedrooms; and by
protection, as far as possible, being afforded from a hot sun, as well as
by avoiding excessive exercise. All animal and vegetable matter should be
removed from the vicinity of dwelling-houses as quickly as possible
(indeed, these should be burnt instead of being put in the dust-bin), the
drains should be frequently disinfected and well flushed out, especially
when the mean daily temperature of the air is above 60° F.
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