Family Stories From 1918

[Tonka]

I've been curious how many of us lost a relative in the 1918 Spanish Influenza Outbreak?

My grandmother was only 6 months old when my great-grandmother passed away. Her cause of death was "Influenza Pneumonia" and the stories have been passed down through the years.

They lived deep in the mountains in Tennessee. They were on their own. I was told that they had to boil their clothes and bedding in a big pot outside, and when someone in the household became ill, the children would be sent to the neighbors house. The neighbors didn't hide, they all worked together as a unit to help each other. They managed to keep the children well. The kids were made to stay outdoors all day..even in winter. There were 6 little ones in the family and they all survived, so it must have worked! They brought food to the ill. It is quite a different approach from the "social distancing" i've seen recommended, but i'm sure they had no other choice. They sent the kids away.

They used tea and honey for their throats, and sugared whiskey for the kids. They made lye soap and there was something about animal fat rubbed on the chest...not sure what that's about!

My grandmother passed away 2 years ago, so it's too late for detailed info from her, but her sister is still living. I will be writing a letter to her for more info. There are not too many left from that time, so the stories are fading fast.

Perhaps we can learn something from them?

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

Lots of facts, governement and media was frank with the public without inspiring panic.

John Barry's The Great Influenza provides quite a different picture. US government focused not only on the war, but maintained the war as it's primary focus. War parades were held; not only held but held against recommendations provided to the government. I believe Barry mentions, at one point, President Wilson making minimal-to-none mention of the 1918 pandemic and it's effects all across the nation. This, even following Wilson contracting the disease himself while engaged in post-war discussions in Europe.

Barry is specific in chronicling the necessity of the local governments in following the lead of government.

 

[Heididoe]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

My 25-yr-old grandmother was seriously ill with influenza in the first wave, and her hair all fell out. This is a complication that was not unusual with 1918 flu, although I have rarely seen it mentioned. My grandfather was serving in France and would later write that he feared more for the lives of his family back home than he did for his own there at the front. My grandfather on the other side of my family was kept in a darkened room with sheets hanging around him to separate him from others who might have to enter the room. His illness lasted a long time, and his convalescence was lengthy. His kidneys may have sustained damage from flu that eventually led to his death in his mid 50's. Amazingly, no one else in the family contracted the illness, to the best of my knowledge. My church is now and was at that time a small country upstate NY church, and I was told that 12 died in the congregation during that year, all thought to be flu deaths.

 

[Nika]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

I think the english name is muttontow, it is the grease of lamb, they mix camphor, euclyptus, menthol in it and rob the chest with it and the backe. Later Vicks replace the Muttontow by petrolium gel.

I read in the 70,s a study that the muttowntow was better in keeping the antimicrobian active an get trough the skin.

Snowy

i use vaporub when any of the family gets congested... maybe I shold find a muttontow version that doesnt have petroleum gel - a natural alternative!

 

[Nika]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

Check this out - from wikipedia (source)

The flu epidemic of 1918 increased sales of VapoRub from $900,000 to $2.9 million in just one year.

then the entry says:

Research published by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in the January 2009 issue of Chest, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, suggests that Vicks VapoRub compound used to relieve symptoms of cough and congestion, may instead create respiratory distress in infants and small children. The study reports that the product may stimulate mucus production and airway inflammation, which can have severe effects on the breathing of infants and young children because of the small size of their airways

 

[mixin]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

My personal opinion is the benefit of Vicks comes from inhaling it and not from being absorbed into the skin; but I don't know this to be a fact.

Some oils are better at getting ingredients "in" us; emu is said to be one of the best. You have probably noticed that some types of hand lotion soak right into the skin and other types seem to leave a coating.

You can make a really nice (and easy) balm with just oil and bees wax and than add in any essential oils according to their benefits.

 

[Nika]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

I am thinking mutton tallow = lanolin

 

[Nika]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

mutton tallow doesnt equal lanolin, lanolin is NOT purified mutton tallow

lanolin is lipid secreted into wool (and then purified from it) - see this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanolin

Tallow implies rendered subcutaneous and leaf fat and thus mutton tallow would be rendered (or not perhaps) sheep fat. see this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallow

I am allergic to lanolin but have no reason to think that I would be to the tallow (being so different)

I would actually recommend, over this, pure organic coconut oil. It has a surprising spectrum of activities - see this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil#Health_effects

 

[BioSafeT]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

There's a product called Campho Care, also called Campho Derm....

Product Description:
For those days when a vapor-rub is the only relief available for head and chest discomfort, this penetrating camphor-based massage liniment is the answer. Cayce recommended this outstanding combination of natural camphor spirits, turpentine spirits, and mutton tallow to increase circulation, especially in combination with heat. Simply rub onto your chest, back and feet and stay warm until the aches go away!


Seems to be available in natural health and food stores.

You can google both names.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

Your wisdom is infinite Snowy Owl!
Thank you!

I'm quite surprised that only a few of us lost a relative in 1918...
Thanks for sharing!

 

[somebodyoutthere]

Re: Family Stories From 1918

My great uncle died in the 1918 pandemic. He was a young man - 23 years old. He was an accomplished artist/illustrator, and had a lucrative contract with Blackie & Son publishers in the UK. He had just come back from the 1918 war, and was struck down by the influenza. It was very tragic - he was the only one in my family to die of it.