The Flu Epidemic of 1918

The flu epidemic of 1918 ravaged World War I combatants and cut its deadly path across America and the world. Further, it was a significant event to build on for understanding and coping with the current outbreak of the H1 N1 (Swine) Flu.

Where did the Influenza begin? Fort Riley, Kansas, in March 1918 Soldiers were complaining of sore throat, headache, and fever. By noon on the first day, the camp’s hospital dealt with 100 seriously ill soldiers. At the week’s end, the number of ill soldiers jumped to 500!

Cases at Fort Riley Company cook Albert Gitchell reported to the camp hospital suffering from a “bad cold”. Number of Red Cross nurses on hand very low (fell dramatically when soldiers started to fight in Europe). Incidents at Fort Riley marked the fall of the first domino, signaling the full terror the flu virus would bring.

July and August 1918 In July, public health officials in Philadelphia made a bulletin about the flu and identified the strain of virus and how the contagion would be fought. The flu had already been named the Spanish Flu On August 27th, sailors on the Receiving Ship at the Commonwealth Pier in Boston took ill. Many sick-bay symptoms were reported in the press. On August 30th, 60 sailors on the one ship were sick. Felt like they “…had been beaten all over with a club”

Dr. Victor Vaughn and Camp Devens In September, Dr. Vaughn, Surgeon General of the United States Army, had urgent orders to come to Camp Devens On the first day after he arrived, 63 men died of influenza

"I saw hundreds of young stalwart men in uniform coming into the wards of the hospital. Every bed was full, yet others crowded in. The faces wore a bluish cast; a cough brought up the blood-stained sputum. In the morning, the dead bodies are stacked about the morgue like cordwood." -Dr. Victor Vaughn

Influenza Causes Global Suffering Civilians suffered from “the perilous path that the flu would cut”. Long arms of the flu extended beyond America & Europe to North Africa, India, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Philippines. One physician recalls that flu patients “died struggling to clear their airways of a blood- tinged froth…until they suffocate” (Outbreak 5). Flu Epidemic of 1918 cut short the lives of over 25 million people.

The Spread of the Influenza                                                           .

Statistics Everyone on the planet was at risk. In Philadelphia, 158 out of every 1000 people died.(Ex American Studies Class) Death toll for America: 850,000. In the end, estimates say about 25 million people died worldwide.

Modern Day Connection Researchers are learning more about the 1918 Influenza in preparation for a global outbreak of the H1 N1 (Swine) Flu, which is already affecting our community. There was a link discovered between Spanish Flu and the Bird Flu of 2007, which helped doctors treat the 2007 outbreak. One hopes the same progress will be made with H1 N1. Still a lot of work to be done, but with little time to do it.

Course Theme Natural and Social Environment- The conditions that the influenza brought affected the growth and development of America. Mortality rates increased, & the atmosphere the pandemic brought left deep scars in American history.