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69
[1904
INFLUENZA.
The return was one of the best in recent years, although that for 1903 was
slightly better. Only 48 deaths were reported, or 34 below the corrected
average for ten years. The decrease occurred in the first three quarters of the
year, when 12, 5, and 2 deaths were respectively attributed to the disease,
figures which are 39, 8, and 2 below the averages. In the fourth quarter,
however, 29 deaths were notified, or 15 more than the average for that period
of the year.
The disease has not been extensively prevalent in Islington since the early
part of 1900, when 122 deaths occurred. Indeed, it has been only in recent
years, that is to say since 1891, that influenza has been fatally prevalent
among us, for between 1856 and 1889 (inclusive) it only caused 48 deaths; in
1890, however, 38 deaths were attributed to it, since which period 1,355
persons have succumbed to its attacks.
The death-rate for the year was only 0.14 per 1,000 inhabitants, as against
a mean rate for ten years of 0.24.
Of the 48 deaths, 4 occurred among children under five years, none between
5 and 15, and 44 between the ages of 25 and 85. As many as 19, or more than
39 per cent., occurred between 55 and 75 years of age.
The disease was equally fatal to 23 males and to 25 females.
In London it caused 709 deaths, equal to a death-rate of 0.15 per 1,000.