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75
Other Zymotic Diseases,
(Miasmatic).
Influenza.—.At the end of December, 1889, the Metropolis
was visited by an outbreak of Influenza, a disease of a
catarrhal type, accompanied with cerebral, pulmonary and
intestinal complications. During January, I 890, the epidemic
was at its height, but was practically over by the end of
the following month; the symptoms of the disease were
about the same as in previous epidemics, viz., suddenness of
the attack, high fever accompanied with catarrhal headache,
intense nervous depression and physical prostration.
According to the weekly returns of the Registrar-General,
nearly 600 fatal cases occurred in London. In St. Giles
district there were 10 deaths, 9 adults and 1 child under 5
years of age.
The deaths for all London were comparatively few compared
with the numbers attacked, and those who died from
it were probably enfeebled by chronic diseases of the lungs
and other organs.
Domestic animals, especially horses, in various parts of
the Metropolis suffered severely from this disease, but the
job-masters and other horse-keepers residing in this district
informed me that their stables had been free from illness.
The Local Government Board issued a circular letter to
the Medical Officers of Health throughout the country as to
the origin and mode of distribution of Influenza in Great
Britain. The questions in the circular, with my answers
annexed, were as follows :—
(1) Has any "influenza," particularly if characterized by much nervous
depression, severe frontal headache, or nervous muscular pains, shown itself
in your district?—Yes.