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15
periods at which most of the deaths occurred, it may quite safely be
estimated that there are more than two females to every male.
Leaflets and posters containing precautionary advice were distributed
in the Borough through the usual channels, and arrangements
were made with the local nursing associations whereby the Borough
Council undertook to pay fees on an agreed scale for the nursing of
cases of Influenza or its complications, as well as for cases of Influenzal
Pneumonia and acute primary Pneumonia. The provisions of the
Public Health (Influenza) Regulations, which were framed with a view
to improving the hygienic condition of the cinematograph theatres,
were put into force. All places of entertainment were considered at
great length by the Committee. It was found that eight different
premises came within the scope of the Regulations, and the Medical
Officer of Health was instructed to visit personally, inspect, and report
upon each of the premises. As a result, the Committee decided in the
case of two places to relax the Regulations; in two others to modify
them by insisting only upon a twenty minutes' interval instead of
thirty minutes. In two places 110 relaxation was allowed, and two were
shut up.
The epidemic was dealt with in all ways as energetically as the
sanitary staff could effect, but their efforts, in common with those of
other sanitary authorities, were nullified to a great extent by peculiar
circumstances prevailing at the time. Thus, the food supply was
abnormal and not altogether satisfactory, whilst the spread of the
outbreak was without doubt greatly aided by the most unparalled
crowding of buses and tubes which took place at the end of 1918.
Section B.
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION AND
CIRCUMSTANCES, &c., OF THE BOROUGH.
A tabular statement of the sanitary supervision of the Borough is
given in Table IV. ou page 50. The following subjects, however, call
for special meution:—