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13
There is little of importance to note in the weekly death returns
from the other diseases shewn in the table excepting that the deaths
from phthisis were somewhat above the normal in the middle of the
fourth quarter of the year. The incidence on the population was
general, no special group or class was characteristically affected.
During both outbreaks great inconvenience and in many cases
serious distress was caused by the complete incapacitation of all members
of individual families. Endeavours were made to secure nursing
services throughout the town but with very little success as no nurses
were available—a condition which has persisted during the whole war
period and which greatly hampered us in a previous outbreak of
measles. A very large amount of visiting and help was
rendered by the staff of health visitors all of whom are trained
nurses and all of whom worked with untiring energy to assist those
suffering from this scourge. I am glad to have this opportunity of
commending the staff for their unselfishness and devotion in this work,
more especially as the actual nursing and assistance which they gave
are quite outside the scope of their professional public health duties.
Incubation period.
The general impression held by medical practitioners with whom
I discussed the incubation period of the second outbreak was
that the incubation lasted only a few days, certainly under a week. I
had one case in which there had only been one contact with influenza
and the person fell ill exactly 48 hours after the exposure to infection.
Mothers ana Infants.
The second of the following tables shews the relative immunity
of children under 12 months of age to this infection.
Kinemas.
On the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health the
Council passed the following resolution relating to the conduct of
kinematograph theatres during the period of epidemic disease, viz:—
That in view of the serious spread of influenza in the Borough a
request be forthwith issued to kinematograph theatre proprietors
in the town asking them to observe during the
continuance of the epidemic the following conditions, vis:—
(a) Not to admit any children under 14 years of age.
(b) To allow an interval of two and a half hours between the
afternoon and evening exhibitions and during such
interval to ensure a thorough through ventilation of the
whole of the auditorium, entrances passage and
corridors.