In:
Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Vol. 2, No. 3 ( 1948-09-01), p. 335-348
Abstract:
Chairman McBryde: Diarrhea is a symptom which may result from many causes. For the sake of simplicity let us state that it may be due to (1) enteric infections, notably the dysentery and salmonella groups, (2) to parenteral infections, and (3) the absence of those factors which result in the relative freedom from severe diarrhea in the private patient group. These factors are proper food, as to quantity, quality, and clean preparation, reasonable clothing, adequate vitamin intake, regularity of schedule, regular advice as to feeding, and the tendency to seek medical advice at an early hour. These factors often do not obtain in the rural and lower economic classes due to ignorance, to lack of cleanliness and to the remoteness or non-availability of medical advice and hospital facilities. I would like to show the following slides concerning the incidence of diarrhea. Slide #1 is taken from reports of the Bureau of Census and is probably grossly inaccurate. Nevertheless it shows the general trend of infant mortality rates due to diarrhea and enteritis under one year of age in the United States. There has been a steady decrease in the death rate from diarrhea and enteritis under one year of age from a level of 44 per 1000 population in the ago group in 1900 to only 4 in 1940. Many of the data here are from estimated figures. The roles played by the development of logical infant feeding with clean milk, education of the public, increased medical knowledge, and availability of medical care need not be commented upon. The following table shows the infant mortality (death under 1 year per 1000 living births) from diarrhea and enteritis for individual states for the year 1940, exclusive of reported cases of dysentery, and is quite instructive. Lack of proper bacteriologic studies again cloud the data. It can be seen, however, that we are in an appropriate area for the discussion of the management of diarrhea in infancy. The states not listed have mortality rates between 1.2 and 3. Dysentery rates, especially in the southern states are about one-tenth those of diarrhea and enteritis, while in the north few dysentery deaths are reported.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0031-4005
,
1098-4275
DOI:
10.1542/peds.2.3.335
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Publication Date:
1948
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1477004-0
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