“Since Saturday, 134 cases of Spanish influenza
have been reported to the board of health. An even dozen deaths, attributed to
the disease, have been reported by the undertakers.”1
1 Hamilton
Spectator. October 15, 1918
By the middle of October,
1918, the number of influenza cases in Hamilton had risen far beyond the
resources in city capable of dealing with the epidemic. Help was needed :
“In view of the steady
increase in the number of cases and the fact that many nurses are down with the
disease, Dr. Roberts, M.H.O., yesterday sent telegrams to the secretary of the state board
of health of Massachusetts, and to the health officer of Boston, asking them to
request all Hamilton nurses who went to that district when the epidemic broke
out to nurse the sick, to return to this city, as their services are urgently
needed here.
“Chairman Clark, of the
health board, and Dr. Roberts also secured yesterday, as an auxiliary hospital the
old Land homestead on Barton street east, which was placed at their disposal
over a year ago of the military authorities and was used as a convalescent home
for soldiers up to a short time ago. When informed of the wish of the board to
secure temporary quarters for ‘flu’ cases, Stanley Mills, the owner, at once
tendered the use of it free of charge till the epidemic is over. This will
provide for about 35 patients and it will be opened tomorrow morning. Dr.
Roberts is anxious to secure a number of nurses, either trained or
inexperienced, for this hospital, and also for caring for cases in private
homes. He has made an appeal in this issue for volunteers. He can also place a
few men who have some experience in caring for sick people.1
1 “Twelve Deaths from Influenza Over Weekend :
Since Saturday, 134 Cases Were Reported : More Auxiliary Hospitals Have Been
Opened : Local Nurses Are Recalled From Boston ”
Hamilton Spectator. October 15, 1918.
There already had been signs
of disagreement between the Hamilton Board of Health on issues connected with
the epidemic, and this issue of whether to or not to close schools because of
the influenza matter was yet another one:
“A number of physicians have
called upon the board of health to close the schools, but so far the medical
health officer has not recommended that action, and he says that he will not do
so till some medical men can show him the benefits of doing so, as he believes
that in ventilated school rooms and prevented from close contact, the children
are safer than playing about on the streets. Here they are also under the eye
of the school nurse and the teachers, most of whom have evinced a deep interest
in the work of prevention. The teachers have been instructed to send home at
once any child who has a bad cough or shows other symptoms of illness. There is
nothing to prevent parents who wish to look closely after their little ones, to
keep them home from schools at the
present time, if they wish. The doctor has been getting daily reports from the
principals, and so far the illness in schools is about normal. This morning
fewer teachers were reported absent than any day last week, Secretary Foster
reported this morning. The majority of cases are amongst adults of middle age.”1
Medical Health Officer Dr.
Roberts was more and more having to be interviewed by the press in order to
keep Hamiltonians informed:
“In view of the reports of
the rapid spread of the disease in cities where schools and theaters have been
closed, Dr. Roberts says that he is well-satisfied that the board here has
taken the proper course. The only thing he would do today and which the board
has not the power to do is stop crowding on the street cars. He has received
some complaints that some conductors have not obeyed the orders to keep the
ventilators open, and in cases where the car is full, to have windows open. He
has instructed the health inspectors to keep a sharp watch on all cars and to
take the number of conductors who fail to observe this order and also the order
of the management of the roads. A suggestion is made that women who have to use
the cars to reach the shopping district, do their shopping as much as possible
in the mornings, to prevent crowding of the cars and crowding in the stores.
Close contact with crowds is what should be avoided by all who wish to escape
influenza,”1
In view of the need for
additional hospital accommodation for influenza sufferers, it was decided by
the leaders of the Canadian Patriotic Fund that a place for the wives and children
of soldiers should be opened:
“Visitors from the Canadian
Patriotic Fund on their rounds of the families of soldiers overseas have found
a number of women and children suffering from Spanish influenza, and other
cases have been reported today. To meet the need of these patients, W. H.
Lovering, the chairman of relief of this fund, sought assistance from several
prominent citizens, with the result that Ballinahinch, the beautiful home of
the late Edward Martin, K.C., at the head of James street has been offered by
Kirwan and D’arcy Martin as a hospital for influenza patients, members of
families of men overseas.
“But help is need, and
unless a staff of nurses and workers can be secured, the scheme cannot be
carried through, and Mr. Lovering is anxious to have the assistance of all nurses and V.A.D.’s not otherwise
attached who will offer themselves for this work. The need is urgent and
immediate response is necessary. Those who will in any way assist are asked to
send in their names or phone the Canadian Patriotic rooms at 52 King street
east.
“In accepting the offer of
Messrs. Martin, it was considered that Ballinahinch would prove a place most
adaptable for such a hospital, although other citizens offered sites and homes
quite as readily, among those being the old Mountain View hotel.1
The Herald issue of October
15, 1918 carried the following notification to Hamiltonians “
“Apparently many citizens
are not aware of the fact that the police ambulance does not handle cases of
infectious diseases, for there were in five hours no less than ten calls made
to police headquarters for the ambulance to take ‘;flu’ patients to the city
hospital. The health department ambulance handles all such cases. But when the
‘flu’ develops into pneumonia, it is evidently not regarded as infectious, for
the police have taken many such cases to the hospital.”2
2 “Police
Ambulance: It is Not Allowed to Be Used for ‘Flu’ Cases ”
Hamilton Herald. October 15, 1918.
Following are some of the
local deaths mentioned in the Spectator of October 15, 1918 :
“Louis Arch. Scheerer, 73 Wilson street,
passed away on Monday after an illness of about one week. Death was caused by
Spanish influenza. Deceased was born at Mildmay, 35 years ago, but had lived in
this city for three years. He was a member of the English Lutheran church. Mr.
Scheerer was the third son of Mrs. and the late John Scheerer, of Mildmay.
Besides his widow, he leaves six brothers and eight sisters. The funeral will
take place privately from J.H. Robinson & Co.s chapel on Thursday afternoon
to Hamilton cemetery.
MRS. MARGUERITE NEILSON
“Mrs. Margaret Miller, wife
of George Lowery Neilson, 85 Victori avenue north, and second daughter of the
late Mrs. Miller, of Detroit, passed away on Monday, after an illness of ten
days from Spanish influenza. She was 21 years of age. Deceased was born in St.
Louis, and came to this city two weeks ago. She leaves her husband, father, two
sisters, Mrs. Chris. Fox of Detroit, Miss Veronica Miller, of Detroit, and one
brother, John Miller of Detroit.
“The funeral will be held
privately from J.H. Robinson & Co.’s chapel to Hamilton cemetery.
BERTHA EDITH TONG
“Bertha Edith, 6 year old
daughter of Issac A. and Mrs. Tong, 80 ½ Charles street, died on Saturday
evening after 24 hours’ illness, of Spanish influenza. She attended school on
Friday morning. The funeral will take place privately from J.H. Robinson &
Co.’s chapel this afternoon to Hamilton cemetery.
CARNELL MARVIN LOFT
“Carnell Marvin, 6 months’
old child of William Harry and Mrs. Loft, 51 Macauley street east, died after a
week’s illness from Spanish influenza. Besides his parents, he leaves two
brothers, Manson and Wilbert. The funeral will be held privately on Wednesday
afternoon to Hamilton cemetery.
“19 Deaths from Spanish
‘Flu’ Since Saturday : 134 Cases Reported – Request for Private Funerals :
Authorities Are Calling for Volunteers to Nurse ”
Hamilton Herald. October 15, 1918.
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