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"(4) That the local authority should have power to require the
temporary closing of any common lodging house in which
infectious disease has occurred.
"(5) That the local sanitary authorities should have power to require
the detention of any inmate of a common lodging house or casual
ward who may reasonably bo suspected of being liable to convey
infectious disease.
"(6) That means should bo provided for the detention and isolation of
any vagrant found wandering in a public place, if reasonably
suspected of being liable to convey infectious disease.
"(7) That the local sanitary authority should have power to require the
disinfection of the person and clothing of any person in a common
lodging house or casual ward, whether infected or exposed to
infection.
"(8) That arrangements should be made by which the occurrence of
infectious disease in common lodging houses or casual wards
should be made known by the local authority of the district to
the local authorities of other districts.
"(9) That local authorities should have power to require the vaccination
or re-vaccination of persons in common lodging houses or casual
wards who are exposed to the infection of small-pox."
Epidemic Influenza.—Influenza is becoming less prevalent, but is still more
or less fatal, and it is interesting to place on record the opinion of the
Medical Officer of the Local Government Hoard with regard to this disease
and its prevention.
Memorandum on Epidemic Influenza.
Influenza became epidemic in England in the winter of 1889-90; it
recurred in epidemic form in the spring, 1891, and was maintained up to June
of that year ; a third epidemic took place in the winter of 1891-92, and after
a minor recrudescence in the spring of 1893, a fifth prevalence on a wide
scale took place in the winter, 1893-94. England is now passing through a
sixth epidemic period. Two detailed reports have been issued by the Board
on the subject. The first was by Dr. Parsons, "On the Influenza Epidemic
of 1889-90," with an introduction by Sir George Buchanan, M.D., F.R.S., the
Board's Medical Officer at that date. The second was a " Further Report on
Epidemic Influenza, 1889-92," by Dr. Parsons, with papers on the Clinical
and Pathological aspects of the Disease, by Dr. Klein, F.R.S., and an Introduction
by myself.
A " Provisional Memorandum upon Precaution advisable at times when
Epidemic Influenza threatens, or is prevalent," was also drawn up by me in
January, 1892, and was issued by the Board to Local Sanitary Authorities.
The further study made by the Medical Department as to the natural
history of Influenza, and as to its clinical and bacteriological characteristics,
goes to show that it is a disease against which it is most difficult to apply
measures of prevention with any substantial prospect of success.