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In case of inability to obtain suitable disinfectants the same
will be supplied, free of charge, on application to the Public
Health Department, Town Hall Road, Lavender Hill.
The epidemic of measles was accompanied and followed as
usual by deaths from various respiratory disorders. From
Whooping Cough seventy-one deaths were registered, a
large majority complicated by Measles. Thus from
the two diseases combined one hundred and ninety deaths
occurred, comparing unfavourably with a total of one hundred
and eighty-seven deaths from all the notifiable zymotic diseases
an unanswerable argument in favour of the compulsory
notification of all infectious diseases, they, in the prenotification
period, being said to be equally intractable to supervision and
modification, an idea which the present greatly diminished case
mortality demonstrates to be incorrect.
Influenza. This disease assumed grave proportions during the
earlier months of 1898, an immense number of people being
prostrated by it. Seventy-six persons were certified as having
died directly from influenza, but there can be no doubt that the
enormous number of deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs
was largely due to influenza, as also affections of the brain, nerves,
digestive organs &c., there being no organ or part of the body
exempt from its influence and probably many cases of suicide
without any adequate motive, have been committed under
temporary brain stress, brought about by this disease.
When the disease has been unusually prevalent, the Health
Committee has issued the following
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,