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9
The epidemic period in the first quarter of the year was from the
middle of February to the end of March (about 6 weeks). In this period
there were 13 deaths from influenza of aged pensioners of the Royal
Hospital.
In London generally there were 4,222 deaths from influenza in 1919,
as compared with 12,927 in 1918. In the 1st quarter there were 3,488
deaths, in the 2nd quarter, 453, in the 3rd quarter, 56, and in the
4th quarter, 225.
To cope with the epidemic in Chelsea in February and March, the
following arrangements were made and carried out:—1. A trained nurse,
who was about to leave the District Nurses' Association, was re-engaged
at a salary of £3 a week for 5 weeks at the cost of the Council. She made
an average attendance on influenza cases of 14 visits daily. In addition
190 visits to 16 patients suffering from influenzal pneumonia were made
by the District Nurses under the Council's ordinary arrangement with
the Association. 2. Leaflets of precautions against inflenza and posters
were printed, the posters being displayed in public places, and the leaflets
circulated amongst the public. The Public Health Committee also communicated
with the Local Government Board as to the advisability of
closing all places of public entertainment for a period, in order to limit
the spread of infection, but the Board did not see its way to take such
action.
The epidemic of February and March, 1919, was of a much less serious
nature than that of the preceding autumn, and the steps taken to prevent
infection and to aid the sufferers by providing nurses were very much
more efficacious in consequence.
Pneumonia.
Pneumonia caused 53 deaths in Chelsea in 1919, as against 82 in 1918.
The ages and sex of the 53 fatal cases were as follows:—
under 15 15—45 over 45 Total
Males 9 0 13 22
Females 8 5 18 31
Both sexes 17 5 31 53
Only 5 notifications of pneumonia were received from medical
practitioners during the year, but 52 notifications of influenzal pneumonia
were received.
In London generally there were 4,597 deaths from pneumonia in 1919,
as compared with 7,485 in 1918.
Tuberculosis.
The deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis in 1919 numbered 67 (44
males and 23 females), as against 77 in 1918. Other tubercular diseases
caused 22 deaths, as against 23 in 1918. Of the pulmonary tuberculosis
cases ending fatally, 34 per cent. died in the Chelsea Infirmary, and 30
per cent. in other public institutions, that is to say, 64 per cent. died away
from their homes, the corresponding number for 1918 being 76 per cent.
During the year 1919, 113 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were
notified as against 145 in 1918, 57 being males and 56 females. Seventyfive
specimens of sputum were sent by medical practitioners to the Lister