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25
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
In the City of Chicago, U.S.A., where Influenza was a
notifiable disease, in the two months of October and November,
1918, when the disease was exceptionally prevalent, 38,960 cases
were notified, and 6,530 deaths occurred, the case mortality being
16.8 per cent.
If the case mortality in this Borough had been similar to that
of Chicago, the number of cases would have been 4,530.
It was not considered necessary to close the schools in the
Borough generally, as the disease appeared to be more prevalent
among persons over school age, and as far as can be seen it would
appear that infection in all probability took place either at home
or in public places, but at three in Clapham, viz., Bonneville Road,
Cavendish Road, and Haselrigge Road, where the disease was
very prevalent in October, disinfection by formaldehyde spray
was carried out during the half-term holiday.
In addition to these schools, St. Andrew's, Colmer Road,
Streatham, Furzedown Demonstration School, the Royal Victoria
Patriotic School, and one private school were disinfected in the
same manner. Disinfection was also carried out where it was
considered necessary in private houses and in every case where
it was requested by the occupier of the house or by medical men
in attendance.
The outbreak developed so rapidly that it was not possible to
do much in the way of precaution.
Isolation of the patient as far as was practicable was advised,
and any overcrowding was dealt with where such was found.
Advice was given that the sufferer should go to bed at once, and
that medical advice should be procured.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
During the year five cases of an obscure disease now known
as Encephalitis Lethargica were reported.