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to infection. This is confirmed when we note the occupations
of the victims.
Out of the total of 428 deaths, the occupation is only
definitely stated in 166, and these were so evenly distributed
that one could not say that any occupation was specially
effected. It was somewhat different regarding the remaining
262 who are registered as of "no occupation," which means
that they were either school children or engaged in domestic
work.
AGE PERIOD. On table 2 is shown graphically the age
periods which were most attacked, and those appeared to
have been from 2 to 5 and from 15 to 35. Again this table
shows that in the majority of the age periods women contributed
a much higher proportion of deaths. The question is
often asked as to why people of the most- vigorous period of
life mostly succumbed to this disease, and I think the probable
explanation is that being vigorous and in many cases
previously exempt from disease of any sort they did not
"lie up" when the attack came, but tried to "shake it
off," the result being that they contracted pneumonia with,
in many cases, a fatal result.
Another reason has been suggested—and I am making inquiries
on these lines—for the apparent immunity of delicate
people from a fatal ending, and that is that those who are
suffering from certain chronic lung disease, such as bronchitis
and pulmonary tuberculosis, are already inoculated
against the many organisms which cause fatal complications
in influenza, so that when the disease comes on they are
already immune to a certain extent against, the organisms
which cause broncho-pneumonia. This, however, on general
grounds, seems very improbable, and would lay a premium
on ill-health, which I think future invesitgations will
scarcely support . I think it much more probable that when
they are attacked they give in promptly and go to bed.
MODE OF SPREAD. Many investigators have
endeavoured to connect the spread with climate and weather,
but the universality of the disease seems to negative these
factors, and I do not think it is necessary to resort to any but