London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1918
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1918
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42
A record was kopt of certain points in connection with 280 fatal oases,
which werj visited in the October and November (second outbreak), whereby
the following facts were observed.
The duration of the illness (from onset to death), was given as follows, showing the commonest duration in fatal cases to have been about a week:—
| I day | 3 cases | 8 davs | 31 cases. |
| 2 davs | 4 „ | 9 „ | 9 „ |
| 3 „ | 5 „ | 10 „ | 11 „ |
| 4 „ | 9 „ | 11 „ | 11 „ |
| 5 „ | 17 „ | 12 „ | 9 „ |
| 6 „ | 1/5 „ | 13 „ | 7 „ |
| 7 „ | 28 „ | 14 „ | 13 „ |
| Over 14 days | 21 „ |
In 94 out of 207 instances visited, the fatal case was the first of influenza in
the household, and, in only 19 of these 94 primary cases was the probable
source of infection known. With regard to the suggestion as to a connection
between cinematograph enter!ainments and the disease, it was found that
there was a history ot having attended a "cinema" recently in only 15 cases
whereas in 148 cases there was no such history.
In regard to the patient's previous state of health, it is noteworthy that
amongst 216 fatal cases, the patient was said to have been of ordinarily strong
constitution in 98 cases, while in 100 instances a statement of bad health prior
to the illness was given, in addition to 18 cases where the patient was over 60
years of age.
Inquiries were made as to difficulty previously experienced by the deceased
in obtaining sufficient suitable food, and such deprivation was stated to have
occurred in only 10 out of 181 cases.
As to the treatment available for the patient, amongst 208 cases, the patient
was removed to hospital in 61 instances, was attended by a visiting nurse in
16, and was nursed by friends only in 131. It should be borne in mind that
these were all fatal cases. In 11 cases it was noted that the attention had
been obviously insufficient.
During the outbreak the following notice of advice was placarded throughout
the borough, and distributed as handbills. One of the latter was given to
evary school child to take home to his (or her) parents:—
Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras.
INFLUENZA.
Prevention.
Persons suffering from any kind of cough, cold or fever should stay at
home for a few days and until all symptoms have abated, and shotdd not go
to their workshop, office or school, or elsewhere where they are likely to
spread the complaint.