Tweet
Source: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/Art...aspx?e=1770528
Deadly flu strikes Brantford
SPANISH INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC OF 1918
Posted By RUTH LEFLER
Today AIDS and H1N1 haunt the population of the world, but, in 1918, the Great Flu Pandemic ravaged the world, killing an estimated 20 to 100 million people, which was many more than the population of Canada and more than all of the soldiers killed in the First World War. No one really knows where this flu originated or how it became such a deadly strain. It is known that it began as an ordinary flu, but it changed.
Early in 1918, soldiers serving in Europe became ill with the disease, but it was in May of that year that Spain was badly hit with some eight million people infected.
Trams stopped running and some government offices closed. King Alfonso III was among those who fell ill. This illness became known as the Spanish Flu because Spain had received much more press coverage than other areas.
During 1918, this flu came in three waves with the first appearing in May 1918, the second at the end of September and the third in March 1919. It was the second wave that was most devastating to the people of Brantford and the County of Brant. The first death locally occurred on Oct. 5, 1918, when Dr. L. G. Pearce, an eye, nose and throat specialist in Brantford, succumbed to the disease.
SYMPTOMS
OF THE SPANISH FLU
The second wave of the flu hit the 20-to 40-year-old people the hardest. To avoid getting the flu, advice was published in The Expositor emphasizing hand washing, cleanliness and smothering sneezes and coughs in the crook of one's elbow. A City of Brantford bylaw forbid any person from spitting in any public place.
Other helpful recommendations were to eat healthy foods, avoid crowds and breathe in lots of clean fresh air.
Symptoms usually included one, some or all of the following, depending upon the severity of the disease -a dull headache and shivering and delirium as fever increased. The face turned a light purple from lack of oxygen in the blood and pneumonia developed.
The suggested treatment was to call the doctor, get lots of rest, stay warm and be quiet. There were no specific drugs for influenza, but, when pneumonia developed, drugs such as quinine, aspirin and various tonics were administered.
THE SECOND WAVE
By Oct. 5, 1918, the flu had reached Brantford and, by Oct. 7, the local medical officer of health stated that the flu had reached its height and daily improvement in the situation may be looked for from now on. At a special meeting of the board of health on Oct. 12, the following resolution was carried unanimously to take eff ect on Sunday, Oct. 13: "That the churches, schools and all public gatherings be closed until further notice, except on permisson of the board."
Twenty-five hundred cases of flu were now in the city. Many whole families were ill and, in some of the boarding houses, patients had no one to care for them. These people needed to be in the hospital, which was filled to overflowing.
Reports showed much absenteeism in factories and businesses. As an example, Pratt and Letchworth Co. was closed and 50% of the employees at Canada Steel were absent.
THE TABERNACLE
It was decided at this meeting, that more beds were needed for flu patients. A building known as the Tabernacle at the corner of West Street and Brant Avenue, where Tom Thumb Park is today, was the only one available. It had been used for revival services and, during the First World War, as headquarters for soldiers who were stationed here. Permission to use the building was granted by the Militia Department. Plumbing, a bathroom and basins with hot and cold running water were installed. The dirt floor was first covered with several inches of cinder filling, followed by four inches of sawdust and, lastly, shavings. All of this was done in 36 hours. Sixty-five beds were set up in wards for men, women, children and foreigners, but eventually beds occupied every available nook and cranny.
A public appeal went out for volunteer nurses and Miss McNeil took up the challenge. It was very difficult, not only to keep a roster of nurses, but to keep them healthy. In the officers' quarters at the nearby armory, a dormitory was set up for the nurses.
The lifeboat truck at the main firehall was pressed into service as a second ambulance. With the installation of a heavy canvas top, it began transporting patients to the temporary hospital on its opening day, Oct. 15. Also on this day, Dr. Pearson, Brantford's medical officer of health, handed in his resignation, which was eff ective immediately, as he was unable to do justice to his private practice. Dr. Norman Bragg succeeded him for three months.
LIQUOR
There was much debate about the consumption of liquor as a remedy for the flu. On Oct. 11, Dr. Pearson was adamant that liquor, as a remedy, would make matters worse and the other physicians were divided in their opinions. It was Mayor McBride, on the advice of one of the physicians, who phoned the chairman of the Ontario Licence Board and arranged for a shipment of whiskey. It was available only from the druggists and each customer could receive only six ounces of liquor upon the presentation of a doctor's prescription.
KILLING GERMS
On Oct. 16, Motor Trucks Limited was the first factory to protect its employees with the giving out of masks to the night shift. One of the reasons for wearing them was to help stop the spitting habit. Creosote was suggested as being the best disinfectant to use in factories, but the cost was prohibitive, so medical authorities approved the use of formaldehyde, which had always been used. At the Board of Trade office, a supply of formaldehyde fumigators were available and were obtained upon filling out an application. The burning of formaldehyde candles was suggested for use in homes. During the epidemic, the Brantford Public Library was allowed to remain open, but as books were returned, they were fumigated before being shelved for redistribution.
INFLUENZA DEATHS
From the beginning of October to the end of November, over 200 residents died from the flu in Brantford and the County of Brant. Long lists of obituaries appeared in both local newspapers listing the names of infants, children and young and older adults, stating that they had succumbed to influenza. Children were left without one or both parents, parents lost children and brothers and sisters lost each other. It was a time of community mourning.
One of the most heart-wrenching deaths that occurred at the emergency hospital was that of a mother whose husband, a veteran, had died the previous day. Their little three-month-old son was now the only immediate family member left.
The Social Service League assisted children and families who had lost one or both parents. The Patriotic Association also helped families of soldiers who were deceased and the Brant Ministerial Association raised over $11,000 for children who had lost both parents because of flu or war.
PARIS, BURFORD AND ST. GEORGE
In Paris, schools, theatres, pool rooms, churches and other public places were closed until further notice by medical officer of health Dr. Alpheus Lovett. On Oct. 18, Dr. Lovett died from influenza and Dr. W. J. Logie was appointed to take his place. An emergency hospital equipped with 25 cots was opened on Oct. 19 in the Paris Armoury located at 3 Broadway East, where Paris Central School is today. Miss McIntyre, from Ayr, was the nurse in charge of a number of nurses who volunteered their services.
In the Village of Burford, there were only two doctors to care for all of the ill patients. An emergency hospital with four beds was opened in the Burford Armoury which had no running water, no bathroom, no kitchen equipment and no way to sterilize or launder anything, but it did fill a need.
On Oct. 12, the community of St. George was surprised when a proclamation was posted declaring that schools were closed and all public gatherings were cancelled until further notice. Schools were closed that Monday, but the ban was lifted the following day. An emergency hospital was set up in the basement of the Methodist Church, now the United Church, with the patients being cared for by voluntary nurses.
Towards the end of October, flu cases decreased, giving all citizens a feeling of hope. On Nov. 6, the ban prohibiting public gatherings was lifted in Brantford, but schools remained closed until Nov. 11, which was Armistice Day. Citizens were asked to continue being cautious and all buildings that had been closed were fumigated before reopening. Since 1918, other flu problems have emerged, the Asian flu in 1957-1958, Hong Kong Flu in 1997 and SARS from November 2002 to July 2003.
This year, with the approach of the fall and winter seasons, the H1N1 Flu, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), has the potential of becoming a major threat to human lives. For the population, prevention is stressed by obtaining a flu shot and following the suggestions that were set out during the 1918 flu pandemic -hand washing, sneezing into the crook of your elbow, avoiding crowds, and eating and sleeping well. History does repeat itself.
Local Historian Ruth Lefler has been awarded the Lt.-Gov's Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement. She welcomes readers' comments, which should be addressed by e-mail to branthistory@yahoo.ca, or by regular mail to Reminiscing, c/o The Expositor, 53 Dalhousie St., Brantford, On, M3T 5S8.
Deadly flu strikes Brantford
SPANISH INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC OF 1918
Posted By RUTH LEFLER
Today AIDS and H1N1 haunt the population of the world, but, in 1918, the Great Flu Pandemic ravaged the world, killing an estimated 20 to 100 million people, which was many more than the population of Canada and more than all of the soldiers killed in the First World War. No one really knows where this flu originated or how it became such a deadly strain. It is known that it began as an ordinary flu, but it changed.
Early in 1918, soldiers serving in Europe became ill with the disease, but it was in May of that year that Spain was badly hit with some eight million people infected.
Trams stopped running and some government offices closed. King Alfonso III was among those who fell ill. This illness became known as the Spanish Flu because Spain had received much more press coverage than other areas.
During 1918, this flu came in three waves with the first appearing in May 1918, the second at the end of September and the third in March 1919. It was the second wave that was most devastating to the people of Brantford and the County of Brant. The first death locally occurred on Oct. 5, 1918, when Dr. L. G. Pearce, an eye, nose and throat specialist in Brantford, succumbed to the disease.
SYMPTOMS
OF THE SPANISH FLU
The second wave of the flu hit the 20-to 40-year-old people the hardest. To avoid getting the flu, advice was published in The Expositor emphasizing hand washing, cleanliness and smothering sneezes and coughs in the crook of one's elbow. A City of Brantford bylaw forbid any person from spitting in any public place.
Other helpful recommendations were to eat healthy foods, avoid crowds and breathe in lots of clean fresh air.
Symptoms usually included one, some or all of the following, depending upon the severity of the disease -a dull headache and shivering and delirium as fever increased. The face turned a light purple from lack of oxygen in the blood and pneumonia developed.
The suggested treatment was to call the doctor, get lots of rest, stay warm and be quiet. There were no specific drugs for influenza, but, when pneumonia developed, drugs such as quinine, aspirin and various tonics were administered.
THE SECOND WAVE
By Oct. 5, 1918, the flu had reached Brantford and, by Oct. 7, the local medical officer of health stated that the flu had reached its height and daily improvement in the situation may be looked for from now on. At a special meeting of the board of health on Oct. 12, the following resolution was carried unanimously to take eff ect on Sunday, Oct. 13: "That the churches, schools and all public gatherings be closed until further notice, except on permisson of the board."
Twenty-five hundred cases of flu were now in the city. Many whole families were ill and, in some of the boarding houses, patients had no one to care for them. These people needed to be in the hospital, which was filled to overflowing.
Reports showed much absenteeism in factories and businesses. As an example, Pratt and Letchworth Co. was closed and 50% of the employees at Canada Steel were absent.
THE TABERNACLE
It was decided at this meeting, that more beds were needed for flu patients. A building known as the Tabernacle at the corner of West Street and Brant Avenue, where Tom Thumb Park is today, was the only one available. It had been used for revival services and, during the First World War, as headquarters for soldiers who were stationed here. Permission to use the building was granted by the Militia Department. Plumbing, a bathroom and basins with hot and cold running water were installed. The dirt floor was first covered with several inches of cinder filling, followed by four inches of sawdust and, lastly, shavings. All of this was done in 36 hours. Sixty-five beds were set up in wards for men, women, children and foreigners, but eventually beds occupied every available nook and cranny.
A public appeal went out for volunteer nurses and Miss McNeil took up the challenge. It was very difficult, not only to keep a roster of nurses, but to keep them healthy. In the officers' quarters at the nearby armory, a dormitory was set up for the nurses.
The lifeboat truck at the main firehall was pressed into service as a second ambulance. With the installation of a heavy canvas top, it began transporting patients to the temporary hospital on its opening day, Oct. 15. Also on this day, Dr. Pearson, Brantford's medical officer of health, handed in his resignation, which was eff ective immediately, as he was unable to do justice to his private practice. Dr. Norman Bragg succeeded him for three months.
LIQUOR
There was much debate about the consumption of liquor as a remedy for the flu. On Oct. 11, Dr. Pearson was adamant that liquor, as a remedy, would make matters worse and the other physicians were divided in their opinions. It was Mayor McBride, on the advice of one of the physicians, who phoned the chairman of the Ontario Licence Board and arranged for a shipment of whiskey. It was available only from the druggists and each customer could receive only six ounces of liquor upon the presentation of a doctor's prescription.
KILLING GERMS
On Oct. 16, Motor Trucks Limited was the first factory to protect its employees with the giving out of masks to the night shift. One of the reasons for wearing them was to help stop the spitting habit. Creosote was suggested as being the best disinfectant to use in factories, but the cost was prohibitive, so medical authorities approved the use of formaldehyde, which had always been used. At the Board of Trade office, a supply of formaldehyde fumigators were available and were obtained upon filling out an application. The burning of formaldehyde candles was suggested for use in homes. During the epidemic, the Brantford Public Library was allowed to remain open, but as books were returned, they were fumigated before being shelved for redistribution.
INFLUENZA DEATHS
From the beginning of October to the end of November, over 200 residents died from the flu in Brantford and the County of Brant. Long lists of obituaries appeared in both local newspapers listing the names of infants, children and young and older adults, stating that they had succumbed to influenza. Children were left without one or both parents, parents lost children and brothers and sisters lost each other. It was a time of community mourning.
One of the most heart-wrenching deaths that occurred at the emergency hospital was that of a mother whose husband, a veteran, had died the previous day. Their little three-month-old son was now the only immediate family member left.
The Social Service League assisted children and families who had lost one or both parents. The Patriotic Association also helped families of soldiers who were deceased and the Brant Ministerial Association raised over $11,000 for children who had lost both parents because of flu or war.
PARIS, BURFORD AND ST. GEORGE
In Paris, schools, theatres, pool rooms, churches and other public places were closed until further notice by medical officer of health Dr. Alpheus Lovett. On Oct. 18, Dr. Lovett died from influenza and Dr. W. J. Logie was appointed to take his place. An emergency hospital equipped with 25 cots was opened on Oct. 19 in the Paris Armoury located at 3 Broadway East, where Paris Central School is today. Miss McIntyre, from Ayr, was the nurse in charge of a number of nurses who volunteered their services.
In the Village of Burford, there were only two doctors to care for all of the ill patients. An emergency hospital with four beds was opened in the Burford Armoury which had no running water, no bathroom, no kitchen equipment and no way to sterilize or launder anything, but it did fill a need.
On Oct. 12, the community of St. George was surprised when a proclamation was posted declaring that schools were closed and all public gatherings were cancelled until further notice. Schools were closed that Monday, but the ban was lifted the following day. An emergency hospital was set up in the basement of the Methodist Church, now the United Church, with the patients being cared for by voluntary nurses.
Towards the end of October, flu cases decreased, giving all citizens a feeling of hope. On Nov. 6, the ban prohibiting public gatherings was lifted in Brantford, but schools remained closed until Nov. 11, which was Armistice Day. Citizens were asked to continue being cautious and all buildings that had been closed were fumigated before reopening. Since 1918, other flu problems have emerged, the Asian flu in 1957-1958, Hong Kong Flu in 1997 and SARS from November 2002 to July 2003.
This year, with the approach of the fall and winter seasons, the H1N1 Flu, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), has the potential of becoming a major threat to human lives. For the population, prevention is stressed by obtaining a flu shot and following the suggestions that were set out during the 1918 flu pandemic -hand washing, sneezing into the crook of your elbow, avoiding crowds, and eating and sleeping well. History does repeat itself.
Local Historian Ruth Lefler has been awarded the Lt.-Gov's Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement. She welcomes readers' comments, which should be addressed by e-mail to branthistory@yahoo.ca, or by regular mail to Reminiscing, c/o The Expositor, 53 Dalhousie St., Brantford, On, M3T 5S8.
Comment