§ 41. Major DESPENCER-ROBERTSONasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of deaths from annual influenza epidemics, which in the first few weeks of this year amounted to over 10,000, and of the dislocation of public services and of industry arising 1891 from the widespread character of the epidemics, he will consider making influenza a notifiable disease?
Sir H. YOUNGI fully appreciate the gravity of the effects of influenza and the question of making it a notifiable disease has been frequently considered. I am advised, however, that this course would not be likely to reduce either the morbidity and mortality from influenza or the dislocation of public services and of industry to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The many clinical forms which influenza takes and the many uncertainties of its diagnosis would in any event make it difficult to draw satisfactory conclusions from notification figures. My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that acute influenzal pneumonia is already a notifiable disease.