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20
Influenza.
During 1919 another outbreak of influenza occurred.
Although the epidemic was extensive, the type of disease was
much less severe than during the last quarter of 1918. The outbreak
occurred in February and March, and reached its height in
the two weeks ending March 1st and March 8th respectively in
each of which weeks the deaths numbered 24. During the twelve
months 139 deaths were attributed to this disease. It is unnecessary
to detail the work done during the epidemic, as the same
measures were adopted as were described in full in the report for
1918. Table III.a, page 39 shews the weekly deaths from influenza,
along with the deaths from certain other diseases which are
epidemiologicaly of interest in relation to influenza. Deaths from
respiratory diseases in general were higher in February and
March than at any other period of the year.
Pneumonia.
185 cases of acute primary pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia
were notified. Of deaths from pneumonia 27 were due to
lobar pneumonia, 58 to broncho pneumonia and 51 to pneumonia
of which the type was not mentioned.
Malaria, Dysentery, Encephalitis Lethargica.
74 cases of malaria were notified, with 2 deaths.
11 ceases of dysentery were notified, with no deaths. All cases
of these two diseases were introduced from abroad. None arose
in the town originally.
9 cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified, with 3 deaths.
Tuberculosis.
The principal addition to the tuberculosis work in the town
during the year was the opening of the Smallpox Hospital at
Cheam as a Tuberculosis Sanatorium. This is already referred
to on page 10.
The general work at the tuberculosis dispensary is fully detailed
in the section of the tables dealing with tubercle. A total of
636 new cases were medically examined during the year, and the
total number of medical examinations made was 7,454. This in
view of the necessarily very careful nature of the examinations
means a large volume of work. In spite of this, it is impossible to
give adequate attention to the "contacts" with cases of tuberculosis—one
of the most important of the preventive sections of this