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36
taken to control the epidemic, and the Medical Officer had secured some
preventive vaccine from the Board for the use of the local medical
practitioners."
On the 4th December I reported:—"For the four weeks ended
2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd November, the total number of deaths from influenza
were 53, 34, 26 and 16 respectively, making a total of 129 and 14 deaths from
pneumonia; these figures include institutions as well as residents.
"During the previous four weeks the total number of deaths from influenza
was 112, and from pneumonia 34. The male deaths still predominate, but
the certification of deaths has become more precise.
"Only one child of school age died, and that was a stranger in the
Infirmary.
"Two Orders have been issued by the Local Government Board, dated 18th
and 22nd November, entitled the Public Health (Influenza) Regulations, 1918.
"Order No. 1 provides that in every place of public entertainment, every
consecutive three hours play must be followed by an interval for ventilation.
These regulations may be relaxed on the advice of the Medical Officer of
Health. Order No. 2 amends the above by extending the period of continuous
play to four hours. It empowers the Local Authority to obtain the exclusion
of children from picture palaces during an epidemic of influenza. This power,
in your Medical Officer's opinion should have been extended to measles. These
Orders came into' force on the 25th November, 1918.
"The Local Government Board has published a pamphlet on influenza
recently issued by the Royal College of Physicians of London.
"Half the stock of the anti-influenza vaccine provided by the Local
Government Board has been called for by medical practitioners."
On January 8th, 1919, I reported:—"The influenza epidemic
appears to be nearly at an end. In the five weeks ending December 28th the
deaths of residents were ten, nine, six, two and three, a total of 30, compared
with 80 for the previous four weeks."
VENEREAL DISEASES.
No deaths were recorded as due to these diseases in their primary forms,
but deaths due to their later effects are recorded, e.g., general paralysis of
insane, locomotor ataxy, stricture, etc.
OTHER DISEASES.
Alcoholism. No death from this cause was recorded either amongst the
residents or strangers. The death-returns of this disease, as in the instance
of venereal diseases, are most deceptive.