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35
INFLUENZA.
218 deaths amongst residents were due to this cause, compared with six,
seven and three in 1917-16-15. The 218 deaths were divided into the following
age-periods:—
3 under one year,
10 between one and two.
24 ,, two and five.
19 ,, five and fifteen.
27 ,, fifteen and twenty-five.
91 ,, twenty-five and forty-five.
26 ,, forty-five and sixty-five.
18 sixty-five and upwards.
218 Total
The death-rate was no less than 2.93 per thousand inhabitants. Besides,
there were 49 deaths amongst non-residents in the Infirmary, 9 in the
Epileptic Colony, and 39 amongst the military.
On 6th November I reported to the Public Health Committee as
follows:— "There was a slight outbreak during the four weeks of July and the
first week in August which caused 10 deaths, but the weather at this time of
year favours the after-disease of pneumonia, which has been the secondary
cause of death in many cases.
"In the week ending September 28th there were four deaths, three
amongst the residents and one at the Military Hospital. For the succeeding
four weeks ending October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, the number of deaths
kept rising. They amounted to 11, 14, 39 and 48. The highest number of
deaths was for the week ending 2nd November, viz., 53. From now onwards
your Medical Officer anticipates a decline in the death rate.
"The public elementary schools were closed for a fortnight on and from
Monday, 21st October, but re-opened on Monday, November 4th. This action
was taken on administrative, not on medical grounds, because the number of
teachers and scholars absent dislocated the work. I drew up a leaflet, which,
to the number of 7,000, on Friday, October 18th, was distributed to the
homes by the boys and girls who attended the senior classes. Between the 21st
and 26th October, Mr. Butland secured the disinfection of all the public
elementary schools and church halls and picture palaces.
"There have been no complaints from friends or relatives as to undue
delay in burial, although some delay was unavoidable owing to the large
number of funerals to be dealt with. In those cases where it was found
necessary, accommodation in the Council's mortuary was given, and at no
time was its accommodation exceeded.
"Two Medical Inspectors of the Local Government Board called on the
Medical Officer, viz., Dr. McEwen, on Friday, November 1st, and Dr.
McNalty, on the 6th November. They were quite satisfied with the measures