The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-04-07
100000 INFLUENZA
DEATHS In INDIA.
EPIDEMIC WORSE THAN
MANY PLAQUES.
Native Troops Suffer Less
Than British-Many Physi-
clans We're Victims.

Uondon Times-Phil. Ledger Cop. Cablet
Delhi.-The government has issued
a remarkable report on the influenza
epidemic by Maj, Norman White.
who has just vacated the position OF
sanitary commissioner, which ne hao
filled with distinction.
Maj. White declares that from tne
incomplete information available III
would appear that no country mas
suffered as severely from the disease
as India during the last quarter of
1918. Without fear of exaggeration
II can be stated that influenza was
responsible for 100000 deaths,
equivalent to more than half the NOR
tality attributable to plague In the
twenty-five years during which
plague has been epidemic in this
country. Five million deaths occurred
in British India and 100000 in the
native states.
Mai. White affirms that there Is no
evidence that the disease originated
in malnutrition. Its incidence was
very high among the well-fed British
troops; higher, indeed, than among
the Indian troops. 1t cannot be de-
MED, he says, that malnutrition was
occasionally factor of Importance
in determining fatal issue.
The report proceeds:
although the belief prevails that
influenza was introduced by ships ar
irving at Bombay and Karachi, 1T Is
by no means certain that the infec-
tion was not already pre- existent in
India. fatal cases of influenza having
occurred in the Bombay gaols in 1917.
Mai. White declares that while he
would be the last to deny that the
Indian health organization is in ur-
gent need of expansion and reform, II
must be acknowledged that if India
had possessed health and medical or
ganizations as efficient as those of
most progressive countries it would
have been impossible to effect much
in checking the ravages of the dis
ease. Doctors possess no special i'm
munity, and owing to their contact
with the infection a large percentage
were incapaetated when their serv-
ices were most needed.
The report gives an interesting ac-
count of the scientific work carried
out in India in regard to the bacte-
riology of the epidemic and the prep
aration of vaccine. At meeting OF
psychologists at Delhi the constitu-
tion of a vaccine suitable for use as
prophylactic was decided upon, and
1t is being prepared at Bofnbry and
Kasauli laboratories. 1t consists OF
influenza bacilli and 500,000,00 pneu-
mococci, 0.000,0 for the first dose
the second dose to be double the first
Three hundred thousand doses are
being kept in reserve in case of re-
crudescence of the epidemic. Maj.
White. however, points out the diff =
Guilty of dealing with a huge popula-
ton like that of India in the event of
an outbreak of such virulence as the
last. 1t seems improbable, he says.
If incubation would confer greater
immunity than an attack of the dis
ease. and 1t can be stated without
exaggeration that from so to so per
cent. of the total population have re-
Gently suffered from influenza.
Maj. White and Maj. Greig, also of
the Indian medical service, are pro-
ceeding to Paris to attend the inter-
allied sanitary conference on behalf
of the government of India.