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268
It will be seen that 86 per cent. of all the deaths ascribed to
Influenza, and 66 per cent. of those ascribed to Pneumonia (without
any reference to Influenza) during the same period, occurred in
the months of October and November. The age incidence of these
deaths is given in Table I.
Of the Influenza deaths, 30 occurred in the Northern Division
of the Borough and 85 in the Southern; and 42 were of males and
73 of females. Of Pneumonia deaths 12 occurred in the Northern
Division of the Borough, and 54 in the Southern; and 34 of the
deaths were of males and 32 of females.
The number of deaths in Stoke Newington is happily too small
to enable any conclusions to be safely drawn from them ; and the
most that can be said of a careful analysis of all the ascertained
facts is that nothing emerges of significance as to occupational
incidence, and that the Southern and more densely populated
division of the Borough had a higher death-rate from the disease
than the Northern Division.
The measures taken to cope with the epidemic included: The
circulation of all medical men practising in the Borough, with a
request to be informed of any cases where advice, nursing assistance,
or material aid, were urgently required. The provision of the
whole-time services of a Nurse to visit all the poorer homes in which
it could be ascertained that there was a case of the disease. This
nurse was provided with a face mask, and carried in her bag a fluid
for the patient and those at risk to gargle and sniff up the nasal
passages, and a supply of "Glaxo" for making hot milk drinks.
She gave nursing assistance and hygienic advice—more particularly
as to ventilation and the spacing out of the rest of the family, and
disinfection precautions. Similar duties were discharged by the
Child Welfare staff, and although the Child Welfare Centre was
never closed, many mothers were discouraged from attendance.
Facilities for bacteriological examination were offered and provided,
but there was practically no demand made. Some hospital isolation
and treatment were secured. A few of the infected premises were