15 



Influenza 



_ ,.. • , From a health standpoint, the most important 



War occurrence during 1918 was the world-wide epidemic 



of influenza and pneumonia. Had the same death rate 

 prevailed during the four-and-a-half-year period commencing July, 

 1914, it would have caused the deaths of 108,000,000 persons, or five 

 times deadlier than the war. The medical correspondent of the 

 London Times says that "never since the ' Black death ' has such a 

 plague swept over the world, illustrating, as never before, the need of 

 a new survey of health measures." 



It has been stated in the press that game in northern Saskatche- 

 wan is being 'decimated' by influenza, that moose are dying from it. 

 On the other hand, scientists have found it impossible to transfer 

 the disease to any of a long list of animals; monkeys alone showed a 

 toxic effect, but true influenza did not develop. These investigators 

 assert that the disease which attacks animals is what is commonly 

 known as epizootic, which, a quarter of a century ago, attacked horses, 

 and thus seriously affected transportation in Canada and the United 

 States. 



Goitre 



Alarmed by statements respecting the prevalence of 

 Undertaken goitre in Alberta and British Columbia, and its bane- 



ful effects, the residents of these provinces requested 

 the Commission to investigate this question. Enquiry among some 

 of the best authorities indicated that there was no foundation for the 

 'scare,' and we were naturally averse to the expenditure of money and 

 time on an investigation which did not promise commensurate results. 

 Eventually, as we were requested by the Provincial Board of Health 

 of Alberta and, as the alarm, instead of decreasing, seemed to be 

 increasing, we agreed to investigate it. It would obviously have been 

 improper to request that the enquiry be undertaken by any one who 

 had taken part directly, or indirectly, in the discussion of the occur- 

 rence of goitre in Alberta. We, therefore, requested Dr. Shepherd, of 

 Montreal, Emeritus Professor and late Dean of the Faculty of Medi- 

 cine, McGill University, and one of the highest authorities in North 

 America, to undertake the investigation. Dr. Shepherd agreed to do 

 so, visited Alberta, and calmed the apprehensions of the people 

 respecting the prevalence and the effects of the common form of goitre. 

 Later, Dr. Shepherd contributed a pamphlet on Goitre, which is now 

 in the press and will be issued at an early date. It is proper, also 

 to acknowledge the indebtedness of the Commission and of the people 



