Influenza: echo from previous pandemic | life

World War I, formerly known as World War I, began in Europe in 1914. The United States participated in the conflict in the spring of 1917, ending it in November 1918. When the soldiers returned home, they were accompanied by a new deadly flu, the “Spanish” flu, which quickly spread throughout the world.

Due to wartime censorship, lack of specialized medical knowledge, and other factors, the 1918-19 pandemic was far less likely to be covered by news media of the time than it is today for covid-19. It was

Looking back, the pandemic a century ago was one of the worst disasters in human memory. “The 1918 flu pandemic was the most severe outbreak in recent history,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It was caused by the H1N1 virus, which carries a gene of avian origin. There is no universal consensus on where the virus originated, but it spread throughout the world in 1918-1919. In the United States, in the spring of 1918. First confirmed by military personnel.

“It’s estimated that about 500 million people, or one-third of the world’s population, were infected with the virus. The death toll is estimated to be at least 50 million people worldwide, with about 675,000 in the United States.” “

The death toll is far higher than that of World War I. Multiple epidemics swept the country and the world and eventually reached all remote secluded backwaters. It is part of this lesson that such efforts are being made to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Although influenza and coronaviruses are completely different at the genetic level, both are respiratory diseases. And like the H1N1 flu of 1918, covid-19 is a newly adapted virus for human infection and lacks immunity to it.

Flu touches Lower Columbia

Although the many effects of the flu are rarely reported in the one-page big headline, news of medical incidents was conveyed in more subtle ways. This is a summary of what appeared in local newspapers-mostly Chinook Observer:

Cars were crowded with Fort Fort soldiers on Sandridge Road last Sunday. Stevens and Fort. Canby drives the car to Ilwaco at high speeds, keeps the road dusty, collects sphagnum garazak in Dr. Paul Cranberry swamps and elsewhere, transports it to Seattle, and packs it in a hospital bandage and later on the Red Cross organization. I transferred it. Western Front of France. “

— Chinook Observer, April 26, 1918

“Fort Canby [now part of Cape Disappointment State Park] Isolated The Spanish flu, a disease that doesn’t cause trouble and end of worry nationwide, has signaled itself to the region, and Fort Canby has seen soldiers leave the post and civilians enter it. I was quarantined by an edict of iron detention that I did not permit. The lid was tightly closed yesterday afternoon. “

— Ilwaco Tribune, October 11, 1918

“Astoria, October 12th-All public places in Astoria have been closed under the order of Acting Mayor Johnson to prevent the Spanish flu. All theatres, dance halls, pool halls and people gather. You can go out of business temporarily by ordering a similar location.

“But the order does not include a school or church, but it will be closed if needed.

“There is no epidemic so far. This measure was purely a precautionary measure. Tonight the city’s doctors reported that there were only a total of 6 cases in town. We haven’t experienced any problems and we know that everyone helps prevent the spread of the disease. “

— October December 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“Chester in Astoria, returning from a business trip he took to J. Chicago and Detroit, speaks of the horrific situation caused by the Midwestern flu ….”

— October 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“Chicago, October 15th- (INS) -To protect against the spread of influenza pneumonia, theaters, movies, night schools, lodge halls, and all public entertainment venues are now empty at the command of the State Department of Health. It will be closed in due time.The order is statewide and can affect day schools without proper medical supervision.In the last 48 hours, a 418 double-traffic toll from Chicago It is the life of a person, because these numbers represent a slight increase in the damage of diseases for which dramatic orders have been issued. “

“NEW YORK, October 16 — (UP) — Cases of Spanish flu in New York increased today. Cases were 5113 vs. 4925 on Tuesday. 317 vs 322 Tuesdays. Since September 18, there have been 48,024 Spanish influenza victims and 2,296 deaths since September 18. A new 535 cases of pneumonia have been reported today, 479 reported Tuesday. . “

“Des Moines, Iowa, October 16 — (UP) — 14,000 Iowa suffer from the Spanish flu, according to today’s official State Health Commission report. Last 24 The total number of new cases reported over time was 6244. “

“Louis, Missouri (INS) -A new report of 575 new cases of influenza was reported today on October 16th, bringing the city’s total to 3170. 13 deaths were reported. . “

— October 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“Last week, one case of influenza in Spain occurred in Chinook, but the other symptoms were in IB Gerow’s family. About 6 cases were reported in Fort Columbia.

“The post-doctor was in town on Saturday and advised the townspeople to close their schools, churches, and all gatherings while the illness was here to prevent further spread of the epidemic. Above Following the warning, the church, Sunday school and public schools were closed. “

— October 1918, Chinook Observer

“Astoria, October 23 — Influenza rapidly envisions some of the serious epidemics in Astoria. Over 550 cases were reported on Tuesday. 4% of this number has developed to pneumonia This represents a 25% increase over yesterday and a 1% increase in the number of serious cases: Today there are 12 deaths in Astoria and its suburbs, with 4 dead reported yesterday. The order to close all public places, including schools and churches, is strictly enforced. The isolation hospital is prepared to accommodate an additional 25 cases at once. ”

— October 23, 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“Astoria, Oregon, October 23-Two more deaths from a Spanish influenza-induced bronchopulmonary pneumonia occurred last night in a post-hospital in Fort Stevens. The victims were Lieutenant WH Nelson and his name was announced. It is a man who was not enlisted. “

— October 24, 1918, Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon)

Avoid crowds

“Coughing and sneezing spreads the illness. You get the flu from the person who has it. Keep such people away from you, and you keep them away from you, and you have the flu. not. …

“Don’t leave the peninsula. You must tell your relatives, your personal and business friends that you should not come to this peninsula while the flu is spreading around us No …

“We control each cough and sneeze, thereby preventing the spread of the disease.

“The County Health Officer,

“Lee W. Paul, M.D., Deputy Deputy”

— October 25, 1918, Chinook Observer

“From Ilwaco Tribune: Under an order from the State Health Commission, health officer Lee W. Paul closes schools, churches, dance halls, pool halls, theaters, and other places of people’s gathering in Ilwaco until ordered. Was given to remove the quarantine. As a result, the town appears deserted at night. “

— October 25, 1918, Chinook Observer

“Spanish flu hasn’t peaked across the province yet. State health official A.C. Seeley said the situation was never encouraging this morning.

“” I don’t see it yesterday, “Dr. Sealy said. “And new regulation is probably not necessary, but the ones adopted to prevent the spread of this disease should be observed more carefully.”

“The situation in Astoria is said to be particularly bad and Dr. Fitzgerald, who returned from Westport this morning, is leaving for Astoria tonight.”

-November. Oregon Daily Journal, January 1918

“It’s my advice to stop traveling. Dr. Paul gets advice on the flu — a peninsula relatively free from the disease ….

“Dr. Paul had a small amount of the flu vaccine at hand and many had difficulty getting it, so I carefully instructed me to use it ….

“There are five cases of influenza in Megler, two in Chinook, six in String Town, two in Ilwaco and one in Ocean Park.

“There are some cases of smallpox in Chinook, but they are very mild. Vaccination, if effective, says Dr. Paul is a preventative medicine for smallpox. Both the Ilwaco flu The case comes from Astoria and is being managed. “

-November. January 1918, Ilwaco Tribune

Final diagnosis of a rash that has been epidemic in Chinook for the past two months by Dr. Hempstead and Paul determined that it was a mild form of smallpox. It was previously commonly referred to as Flu and Lagrip.

“There were about 15 to 20 cases, none of them had fatal consequences, and for all affected individuals, they are now almost healthy ….

“No one knows how this illness came here. Dr. Paul called the issue to get the attention of state health officials and Dr. Hempstead, and they said it was smallpox. , Agreed to come under the national hygiene law in preventing its spread.

“Under these laws, everyone will be quarantined for two weeks after their last exposure. All sick will be quarantined or all exposed will be vaccinated until all illness is gone.” Vaccinated and quarantined up to 5 days after vaccination is considered to be valid for 7 years … Vaccination can be done by Dr. Paul or Fort.

“The disease is not seen in anyone found to be vaccinated. Fort Columbia was isolated to civilians during the spread of the disease here.”

-November. Chinook Observer, January 1918

“Don’t go to Seattle unless you wear a flu mask,” says State Health Officer Tuttle, or you can’t board a tram or enter the company. ”

-November. Chinook Observer, August 1918

“The newspaper arrived here by mail every day except Sunday, reporting the” flu “epidemic and thousands of deaths each week. I thought there were two cases in Chinook, but after consultation with my doctor, it was considered smallpox. “

-November. Chinook Observer, August 1918

“A local health officer, Dr. Lee W. Paul, who acts in harmony with the instructions of the State Health Commission, rests like a coffin in the community and at church services, schools, and all theaters. We’ve lifted the quarantine flu quarantine. The billiard room and other banned places are open to patrons, just like we had a sweet memory a few weeks back. ”

-November. Ilwaco Tribune, 1518, 1918

“Mrs. Dorothy Catherine Olney, 23, died at her mother’s home in Anna H. Hood Ocean Park (Sunday, November 9).

“Mrs. Olney went to Megler a few weeks ago to nurse her brother, his wife, and three who were suffering from the flu. She suffered from a pneumonia-developed illness and went to her mother’s house at Ocean Park. I was taken.

“For a while, it looked like she was going to win a tough fight against death, but the end came just before noon on Sunday …. [Her husband, Lloyd D. Olney,] Joined the 219th engineer. He is currently in France and has been active for about a year. “

-November. Ilwaco Tribune, 1518, 1918

How to cure cranberries?

“Everywhere in the United States was free from the flu epidemic that hit the country, and nowhere was it as low as Washington, the county in the Pacific. Here are various theories to explain the absence of an epidemic. Is being promoted and the most believed is the free use of cranberries by the peninsula residents ….

“Cranberry growers have long known that the liberal use of cranberries is beneficial in preventing colds and other attacks, but the current freedom from the Spanish flu is beneficial for this dreaded disease. It seems to have a positive effect. “

-November. Ilwaco Tribune, 1518, 1918

“There are few soldiers from Fort. Colombia has been seen in Chinook for the past month. Most of them have appeared before. The photos of Fort and Chinook have disappeared. The town is vibrant because it can be built. Education, churches, and women-assisted dances are taking a break. Only the Red Cross, shops, canning factories, and observers are the only live factors in town. ”

-November. Chinook Observer, 1918

“Miss Janet Burroughs, formerly a resident of Chinook, left Seattle for reconstruction work last month in France …. She is the daughter of Will A. Burroughs.[[[[observer]Famous cartoonist … “

-November. Chinook Observer, 1918

“The ban on influenza and smallpox quarantine was lifted on Saturday at Chinook. Worship was held at M. E. on Sunday. [Methodist Episcopal] Church morning and evening. A public school opened on Monday morning. “

-November. Chinook Observer, 22nd, 1918

“Portland’s” flu “has been declared a milder type by Dr. Parrish, a city health official. … The deadly type of cases are still serious, but the proportion is much smaller. In such cases, throughout the winter you will see with every probability. It is still important for individuals to provide care.

“If you have a cold, go to a bed with lots of fresh air and apply the usual remedies. Avoid it especially in people who sneeze or cough. Will be removed from theaters and other public places …. “

-November. 23, 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“Deaths due to” flu “are decreasing. Drops are noticeable in the short list of newspapers. City Health Officer Parrish, keen on the fight in Portland, claims that quarantine regulations have proven effective. These regulations should be supported. Be wise to handle the epidemic well. “

— December 28, 1918, Oregon Daily Journal

“The death of Stener Siverson-the only dead man in Chinook’s enlistment-The following short telegram from Callao of Peru was received by Adolph Siverson on Sunday: ‘Your son died of a fever last night. Followed by the letter. (Signed) Parker. ”… Stainer Siverson … Joined the US Merchant Marine Corps in July 1918. … ”

-January. Chinook Observer, March 1919

The crowd brings the second wave

“A new case of influenza in Spain [Portland] Today the City Health Department has reached 276. This is the highest number of new cases reported per day since the epidemic peaked more than a month ago.

“Over the past two days, the number of new cases of this disease reported has averaged less than 100. [Portland] City council for thorough quarantine. …

“Abele, who represents the PhD Health Officer, said the sudden increase was due to a crowd gathering to celebrate the New Year.”

-January. April 1919, Oregon Daily Journal

On Friday, according to an order from a state health official, the head of the county school sent a message to the head of the Chinook school instructing him to close the school until notified.

“This order was based on numerous cases of influenza in other towns in Pacific County and throughout the peninsula …”

-January. Chinook Observer, 24th 1919

“Due to extreme weather conditions, quarantine, email and transportation disruptions, Chinook has less social and business activity than ever in the memory of the oldest inhabitants.

“We hadn’t taken as much water, gardens, or fields as it had fallen since Tuesday night last week. The tidal flats are flooding. All the ditches in the town are clogged and flooded. Out, The Main Street in Upper Town is almost one continuous string of independent pools.

“Everyone was away from the street because of the rain, except for those who were doing some urgent work at stores and post offices. The cars were surrounded by raintops. Cows were tied to timber, chickens were I was hiding in a flock.

“It was the most boring week I’ve ever had in Chinook.”

-January. Chinook Observer, 24th 1919

“The quarantine ban was removed last Thursday in Chinook by county health officials …”

-February. Chinook Observer, July 1919

“When a wave of deep sorrow and sincere sympathy arrived from Wick A. Barrow on Tuesday, his amiable and skilled daughter, Janet, died of pneumonia at Fort Snelling, Minnesota at 4am on March 15th. I saw the news …

“[S]He has successfully completed all the grades that a Chinook school has to offer. Later she graduated from Bellingham State Normal School and was awarded a diploma in teachers’ life. After Bellingham, she enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in June last year and a diploma in life from a college teacher. Immediately after graduating from “U”, I took a job in reconstruction assistance at Reed College in Portland and completed a physical therapy course.

“She was called to New York in October to work abroad. Suspension of hostilities changed government plans and … [she] Sent to fort. Snelling, Min.

“ With the kindhearted willingness and kindness to perform the last sad ritual and to show their affectionate respect for decent young women and friends, those who undertake this for the Genook Virginia Burrows are in Chinook. I will. “

— Chinook Observer, March 21, 1919

[Transcribed from “Observing Our Peninsula’s Past, Vol. 1.”]

“The town of Chinook has undergone a full quarantine because of an acute flu outbreak.

“No one lives in this [military] Reservations are permitted to go to Chinook for any purpose other than as a doctor.

“People living in Chinook cannot book.

“This also applies to the entire area between this reservation and the Chinook River Bridge on the Ilwaco Road.

“If you need to pass this area by business, road or train, don’t stop.

“We will report the above violations as soon as we see them.

“Lute. Colonel William S. Dowd.”

— Chinook Observer, July 4, 1919

“Carrie Victoria Ford’s Sudden Death [age 26 years], John E. Ford’s wife, Eric Lindstrom’s daughter in McGowan, Washington, evoked heartfelt regret and empathy for all who knew her …

“She fell ill on Tuesday 17th and soon had pneumonia due to terrible flu symptoms and collapsed on Saturday morning 21st. After a brief unconsciousness …”

— October 31, 1919, Chinook Observer

On November 7, 1919, the Chinook community celebrated a day of truce to commemorate the end of World War I.