View report page

11
glands, circumcision, umbilical hernia, tonsilitis, rickets, impetigo,
fractured arm and clavicle, influenza, one case of opthalmia
neonatorum ; all recovered.
Infection Visits : measles 421, chicken-pox and mumps 96
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA.
During October, November and December, Harrow had a
share but not an unduly large share of the influenza pandemic.
Most of the cases occurred in adults. The incidence amongst
school children was never so large as to necessitate closure of
schools or of individual classes in schools.
At the beginning of the epidemic the following letter was
addressed to the heads of the public and private schools of
Harrow:—
EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA.
Influenza, and the pneumonia which frequently follows
it, are caused by specific germs which pass from person to
person for the most part in the spray which issues
from the mouth and nose in coughing and sneezing. Such
spray may be effective at a distance of several feet.
It is of the utmost importance to the community that
these infections be not spread through coughing and sneezing.
If every case of influenza were isolated immediately it
occurs, and kept in isolation till well, the disease would soon
disappear.
For his own sake, and that of the public every person
attacked should at once go to bed, and remain there until
well. This simple remedy would prevent many cases of fatal
pneumonia. Influenza paves the way for pneumonia especially
in those who remain at work too long or return to work too
soon.
All mouth spray and nose discharge should be received in
a handkerchief which is afterwards thoroughly boiled. The
hands should be carefully washed after handling such handkerchief.
All bed and sitting rooms should be well ventilated and
frequently flushed with fresh air. Children attacked should
on no account be allowed to go to school.
Every catarrh and illness associated with rise of tempera
ture should be regarded as infectious and precautionary
measures accordingly adopted.
(Signed) DAVID SOMMERVILLE, M.Sc., MD„
Medical Office of Health,