Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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we add another 20 per cent, who were attacked and did not know
it, it is safe to assume that the proportion of the population that
was absolutely immune was very small. The point is of interest
because if the number of cases which do not seek medical advice
or are themselves unaware of their condition is very large, then
any attempt to control infection will be hopeless. Even suppose
we advise that congestive areas or rooms should be avoided, that
precaution only dilutes the possible infection; it does not militate
against it. The effect might be not to reduce the number of
cases, but simply to prolong the period of spread. There is no
evidence to believe that any particular economic section of the
population was attacked, though information on this point is
extremely difficult to obtain, owing to the nature of the population
at the present time. One point arises with respect to those suffering
from Tuberculosis. Out of 130 patients 10 died, and their
deaths were returned as dependent on Influenza alone, suggesting
that the Phthisis death-rate for the year may be lower than it
would otherwise have been.
The possible similarity in the epidemiology of Measles and Influenza is of interest, and the following points have been drawn up. The three waves are compared with the prevalence of Measles in 1916, 1917, and 1918.
Measles | 12 days. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Influenza | 2-4 days. | ||
Ratio one to five roughly. | |||
1st wave. | |||
Influenza | 15 weeks | 12 weeks | 10 weeks |
Measles | 62 weeks | 50 weeks | 46 weeks |
Influenza (estimated) | 600 (2) | 12,000(161) | 1,600 (24) |
Measles (estimated)* | 331 (1) | 969 (63) | 544 (14) |
*1st case in household only.