[Report 1918] / Medical Officer of Health, Accrington Borough.

  • Accrington (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1918] / Medical Officer of Health, Accrington Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/34 (page 5)
    Influenza, which was very prevalent in epidemic form on two occasions (July and November) during the year, was responsible for 57 deaths : 28 males and 29 females. In addition to this, 07 deaths were certified as due to Pneu- monia, and probably some of the latter were of Influenza origin. March, June, and October were the only months in which there were no deaths certified from Influenza. A table, showing an analysis of the 57 deaths from Influenza will be found in the report, showing the age period at death, the weekly distribution, and sex. 11 of these deaths occurred away from home. Of the total of 57 deaths, 6 occurred below the age of 15 years, 34 were over 15 and under 50 ; 12 were over 50 and under 70 ; and 5 over 70 years of age. Considering the virulence of the disease, its infectious nature, and the extent of the two epidemic visitations, I think we may congratulate ourselves that we came off as well as we did. The Health Committee along with m3^self took the matter under s])ecial consideration, and as a result 10,000 hand bills were distributed, indicating the first s^miptoms of the disease and its general nature, and the necessity for immediately taking it seriously. Emplo\'ers of labour were advised to send men home to bed on the first signs of the disease, and not allow them to spread the disease to their neighbours. The Sanitary Inspector was requested to make special efforts to remove all refuse as speedily as he could, and with the consent of the Health Committee I prepared a typewritten account of the disease, to guide the teachers in the schools of the Borough in giving a lesson to the children regarding the natiu-al histor_v of the complaint, and the best methods of jjreventing it or treating it if it occurred. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant. ARTHUR GREENHALGH, Medical Officer of Health.