§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the latest information that has reached him as to the recent epidemics of influenza and cholera in the city of Bombay, together with the number of deaths from cholera in that city, and the total number of deaths from influenza in India in 1918 and the present year?
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§ Mr. FISHERThe Secretary of State has received the following telegram from the Government of India
The first influenza epidemic in Bombay City was in June last and was responsible for over 1,600 deaths; subsequent virulent outbreak occurred in September, October, and early in November, during which period the mortality in Bombay City exceeded the normal by 14,678. Besides bacteriological investigation relief measures consisted of treatment in hospitals, house-to-house visitation, free supply of milk and woollen jackets to prevent pneumonia, opening of roadside dispensaries in several wards, and supply of free medicine. Cholera appeared in epidemic form during second week of December last and continued till third week of February. The disease was mainly confined to mill districts and recent strikes not only aggravated it but prolonged its duration. Deaths reported in Bombay city from cholera during the period number 9,589. In view of scarcity prevailing in neighbouring districts steps were taken to segregate immigrant labour in special camps, etc. Deaths from influenza in India as a whole in 1918 are calculated at 5,000,000 for British-India and 1,000,000 for Indian States.