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(e) Influenza.—There were no less than 31 deaths from influenza during the
year 1931. This shows how serious influenza can be. Almost all the cases had
definite pneumonic symptoms and therefore come within the group of respiratory
diseases which are so fatal in England.
There is no doubt that the general public look upon influenza far too lightly,
and, by keeping at work when they ought to be in bed, they not only aggravate
their own disability, and in many cases provoke fatal complications, but also spread
the disease.
For some time now I have felt that hospital accommodation should be available
for cases of influenza which cannot reasonably be nursed at home.