INFLUENZA SCOURGE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1929, Page 5

INFLUENZA SCOURGE

WOSR.K THAN 1918. (United Press Association—By Electric Teleg. -ph—Copyright). LONDON. Feb. 27. “The epidemic recorded for last week is the blackest in the city’s history,” reports the Leeds health officer in supplying influenza statistics. ‘‘lt was worse than any week of the serious epidemic of 1918. The deaths totalled 625. This is the worst recorded, and is equivalent to sixtyeight per thousand.”

“The most tragic aspect relates to the infants under twelve months, among whom the deaths wore three to every ten.” The Health Department is certain the actual position is worse than the figures indicate, because many cases of influenza-pneumonia are not reported to the department.

The consumptive cases are also abnormal. The 'influenza cases reported for the present week indicate even a worse total.

Though the public has long been pretty sure that this epidemic can be ranked with the worst which has occurred throughout the country, Leeds is the first centre to give the actual figures, however. WEATHER’S BAD EFFECTS.

The return of the Arctic weather in full blast has gravely increased ibo dangers attendant on respiratory diseases. Severn frosts continue to be reported almost throughout the country, but even worse are the wintry blasts of east winds, testing even strong constitutions.

j-lor.sn racing Inis been off continuously over a fortnight, the owners being deprived of £30,099 in stake money by the abandonment of 33 days of racing.

The Waterloo Cup, after two weekly postponements, is now tentatively fixed for the middle of March. Tee skating is again in full swing in most parts.