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The disease most commonly began with symptoms of a " slight cold
in the head " rapidly followed in most cases with pains throughout the
body, and extreme prostration. Pneumonia was a frequent complication
and figured largely as the secondary cause of death in the fatal cases.
Recovery was slow in all cases, and in a certain number, pulmonary
tuberculosis appeared as a sequel to the disease.
The extreme suddenness of onset and the short incubation period
rendered all attempts at preventive treatment very difficult. The
Local Government Board issued Orders, known as the Public Health
(Influenza) Regulations, 1918, providing for the ventilation of all places
of public entertainment (especially cinematograph exhibitions) at stated
intervals. The utmost that Local authorities could do was to urge the
public to avoid appearing in crowded places; to take simple precautionary
measures against infection, etc. All this was carried out in the Borough
by means of the public press and by posters and leaflets, while disinfectants
were offered to all who cared to apply, and disinfection of
premises, ere., was carried out on request. The Regulations came into
force in November, 1918, and continue in force until revoked by
Order of the Board. Power, however, is given to a public authority
to relax the Regulations, on the written advice of the Medical Officer
of Health.
VENEREAL REGULATIONS.
These Regulations are administered by the London County Council,
and the Local Authority plays only a small part in the campaign against
these diseases. During the year, however, a series of lectures was
arranged by the Committee for both men and women, but although
every step was taken to advertise them widely, the resulting attendances
were disappointing. Apart from these lectures the LocalAuthority is
only called upon to make public the literature and posters provided by
the County Council. Only seven persons applied to this Department
during 1918 for informatiou as to where and how to obtain treatment.
GENERAL SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
To economise space, the usual returns showing the work of the
Sanitary Inspectors have been much curtailed, but all the information
is available in the books of the Department.