Diarrhoeal disease with special reference to the Americas.

Abstract

This article presents data on morbidity and mortality from diarrhoeal disease in infancy and childhood for certain areas of the Americas. The role of the principal etiological agents is discussed, and the importance of various factors, such as availability of water-supply, fly control, malnutrition, and the protective effect of breast-feeding, is evaluated. Some practical measures for the prevention of deaths from diarrhoea are put forward.