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influenza. The fifth epidemic of this disease, which first
peared in this country after an absence of nearly fifty
years in 1889, again affected a large number of persons in the
early months of the year. Although many hundreds were incapacitated
the mortality was much below that of other years
during which it was prevalent, the total number of deaths
ascribed to it being thirty three.
There can, however, be no doubt that the high mortality
from diseases of the respiratory system was much influenced
by this disease.
By the order of the Sanitary Committee a list of precautions
to be taken was drawn up by me and printed and circulated
largely throughout the parish, and is here reproduced.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFLUENZA.
The Vestry of the Parish of St. Mary, Battersea, as the
Sanitary Authority and as advised by the Medical Officer of
Health, in consequence of the renewed prevalence of Influenza,
desire to direct the attention of the public to the extremely
infectious character of the disease, and to point out that to the
exposure of those in an infective condition from influenza, by
neglect to isolate themselves during the period of such infective
condition, the spread and maintenance of the disease is chiefly
due. It is probable that the breath of those so affected is the
principal medium by which infection is conveyed.
The early symptoms of influenza are chiefly chills and
shivering, accompanied by great muscular weakness and prostration,
often amounting to inability to stand or move, with pains
in the spine or other parts of the body. It is desirable that
persons thus affected should at once go to bed and there remain
until convalescence is established in order to avoid the dangers
of Pneumonia or Bronchitis, which are the chief complications
to be feared, as likely to lead to fatal results,