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due to one or more specific micro-organisms. Two forms
of the disease are generally recognised:—
(a) Acuta lobar or croupous pneumonia, and
(b) Acute lobular or broncho-pneumonia.
Either of these may be either primary or secondary to
some other recognised disease.
In a young child, lobular pneumonia is often the equivalent
of croupous pneumonia in the adult. Secondary
broncho pneumonia is commonly a sequel of the infectious
fevers, and as such is more common in the early years of
life. As age advances it becomes rare, except as a complication
of influenza or bronchitis."
"Notification. Pneumonia following whooping cough,
diphtheria and the exanthemata is intentionally excluded
from the scope of the order for notification of pneumonia
as provision is already made, or may be made, for the
notification of these diseases. It has been considered
desirable, however, to include pneumonia occurring in
influenza in view of its high fatality and of the possibility
of a recrudescence of the primary disease during the
coming year."
From a consideration of the two preceding quotations it is
clear that all cases of primary pneumonia (lobar or lobular
pneumonia), are notifiable and that no secondary pneumonias
are notifiable except influenzal pneumonia.
The objects of notification of these diseases are stated to
be as follows in the same Memorandum:—
"While it is not anticipated that in the present state
of our knowledge notification and the action consequent
thereon will result in any great immediate reduction in the
total incidence of pneumonia, it will, it is believed, awaken
the public to a sense of the gravity of the malady; will
supply valuable statistical information as to its distribution
; and will contribute to a reduction in the mortality