A Bulletin on the Spanish Flu, 1918
"The Government medical authorities, through the press, have been giving information on the symptoms of Spanish influenza, its treatment and what measures should be taken..."
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From The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen’s Magazine, Volumes 62-65, 1918.
The Spanish Influenza Epidemic
How to Treat and Avoid Disease That is Killing Thousands
Up to October 12[, 1918] Spanish influenza had caused the death of 8,335 soldiers in United States army training camps and the total number of soldiers afflicted with the disease had reached 223,000, according to Washington announcements. On that date there also were 27,907 pneumonia cases in camps, the majority of these developing from influenza. To show the rapid spread of the disease, on September 24 press dispatches announced that deaths from this cause in camps totaled only 112.
Among the civilian population of the United States the disease has assumed epidemic proportions in many sections and has made its appearance in every State. The situation is very grave in some of the great cities, and the most drastic measures are being taken to check the spread of influenza and prevent it from becoming a national scourge. Theaters, motion picture houses, dance halls, churches and other places where crowds gather have been ordered closed in many cities, an order to the effect having just been issued in Cleveland, Ohio, which, beginning with Sunday, October 13, will be without public gatherings of any kind for a period of at least two weeks, an exception being made of Liberty Loan meetings.
A Washington dispatch of September 29 told of a vaccine tested in army camps and found to be almost a positive preventative of pneumonia, and it was stated that this vaccine would be used to combat the influenza epidemic.
Because of the influenza epidemic in camps, the Government postponed the entrainment of 142,000 drafted men, who were to proceed to camps between October 7 and 11.
The Government medical authorities, through the press, have been giving information on the symptoms of Spanish influenza, its treatment and what measures should be taken to avoid becoming afflicted with the disease. The following digest of symptoms, treatment, and precautions will be found very useful and should be given careful consideration by all our readers:
Symptoms
Pains in head, limbs, joints and backs of the eyes.
Feeling of weakness, accompanied by chill and fever—the well known “grippy” feeling.
Sneezing, coughing, and redness of eyes, and hoarseness.
Constipation or diarrhea, indigestion and vomiting.
Pulse does not increase in proportion to temperature.
Treatment
Go to bed and call a competent physician at once.
Sleep in a room warm and well ventilated. If you are living in a flat where the landlord is profiteering—charging you more on account of fuel scarcity and then refusing to use the fuel—kick, and kick hard.
Drink plenty of water, better drink hot water.
Keep away from work, do not worry and avoid contact with other people.
Precautions
Avoid crowds as far as possible.
Do not cough or sneeze into anybody’s face, and shy away from the coughs and sneezes of other persons.
Keep your mouth, skin, and clothes clean and wash your hands before eating.
Keep in the fresh air, have your rooms well ventilated.
When you get up drink a glass or two of water.
Avoid any dissipation or conduct that will lower your vitality.
Do not use linen or utensils that have been used by other persons and not cleansed.
Do not get scared and allow the influenza danger to drive you into panic. The world has lived through lots of epidemics.
To date we have heard nothing of measures to check crowding in street cars. Crowding is one of the most certain mediums for the spread of disease, and there should be something more substantial than warnings to the public to avoid crowds. Street car companies might be asked to put on more cars to prevent the rush-hour jamming. This will affect dividends, we realize, but it will also save many lives.
“The Spanish Influenza Epidemic: How to Treat and Avoid Disease That is Killing Thousands.” In The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen’s Magazine. Volumes 62-65, 1918.
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