The members of the Hamilton
Board had gathered together in yet another emergency meeting, Monday morning,
October 28, 1918. An item forwarded by the mayor and the medical health officer
was fully discussed.
Based on Dr. Roberts’
recommendation and the mayor’s backing of it, a decision was made not to allow
variations to the public ban on public gatherings of more than 25 people.
Immediately, the supporters
of the Victory Loan campaign requested that they be allowed to form a
deputation and appear before the Board of Health, hoping the decision arrived
at the day before would be reversed.
Permission was granted :
“The deputation included
George C. Coppley, Robert Hobson, Cyrus A. Birge, T. J. Stewart and S, H.
Alexander. Mr. Coppley said that in anticipation of a favorable attitude on the
part of the board of health, arrangements had been made to bring Hon. T. W.
McGarry and Rev. Dr. Cameron to speak at an open-air meeting next Thursday
night. It was felt that it was necessary to the success of the campaign that
public meetings of some character should be held. The officials had been
assured by Dr. McCullough that open-air gatherings could be held without
injuring the public health. The executive was also anxious to arrange for
indoor meetings, if possible.”1
1 : Loan
Delegation Concurs in Board’s Action : Influenza Death Rate in Hamilton Light”
Hamilton Spectator. October 29, 1918.
A very difficult subject for
board members – on one hand, they certainly were not unfavorably disposed
towards the Victory campaign, on the other hand, public health concerns were of
major importance as well.
It was a contentious meeting,
to say the least. Reporters from the city’s three daily newspapers reporters were
probably all sitting together, using shorthand to capture what was said. The
articles resulting covered the same ground.
Here is the Herald account :
“Mr. Coppley stated that
they were alarmed by the statement that no action would be taken until
Thursday, and stated that it was essential to have open air meetings in order
to put the loan over. Dr. McCullough, provincial health officer, had assured
them that open air meetings would be permitted, he said. The restrictions in
Hamilton were tighter than elsewhere.
“Norman Clark, chairman of
the board, stated that in his opinion it was better to have the ban on for this
week at any rate, and that the order would be enforced until such time as
public health would permit the raising of it. The board, he said, would not
commit itself to changing it until next week.
“Mr. Birge stated that he
could not think that outdoor meetings were harmful to health, and mentioned the
action of the Toronto board of health in lifting the ban.
TORONTO BOARD
“Dr. Roberts was strong in
his answer, and stated that the gross inconsistency shown by the Toronto board
of health was no reason why the local board should make an ass of itself and
show such inconsistency.
“Mr. Stewart stated that as
long as the board said it would take no action, the Victory loan committee
would assume responsibility for the meetings.
“Messrs. Hobson and
Alexander said that they did not take that stand. They did not wish to be
arbitrary but wanted permission to hold meetings.
“ ‘Anyone in the city would
have the same right to go ahead and run against the board’s orders if we did,’
said Mr. Alexander.
“Mr. Stewart took objection
here, and said that nothing was as important as the loan which was being
launched.
CLOSING DID GOOD
“Dr. Roberts submitted that
it was pressure brought to bear by members of the board of trade and representatives
of the financial and business interests in the city, that he ordered the
closing of schools, theaters, etc.
“ ‘ No matter what my
preconceived views were, I now feel, and know, the ban has lessened the death
rate.’
“He spoke of 25 nurses at the
city hospital being affected. Twenty, he said, were in bed at St. Joseph’s and
ten in the emergency hospitals. The hospitals were crowded with patients, and
when a nurse took sick it handicapped the workings of the institution.
STOOD BY ORDER
“ ‘Human life to me,’ said
the doctor, ‘is more sacred than any financial problem. That the Victory loan organization
must make arrangements to have noted speakers, carries no weight with me,’
continued the doctor.
“ Mr. Stewart said : ‘I have
yet to hear one medical man raise an objection to outdoor meetings.’
NOT AN ASS
“Dr. Roberts, I am not an
ass,’ here he produced a card of which he had circulated ten thousand which
warned the public to avoid gatherings of any nature. ‘That,’ said the doctor,
‘is my opinion as a medical doctor.’
“It was decided that
permission would not be granted, but that the board would daily consider the
meeting, and life the ban at the earliest possible moment when public health
would permit it.
TOTAL DEATHS TO DATE
“The board of health this
morning gave out figures as to number of deaths from influenza and pneumonia
since October 1, when the epidemic was first recognized as holding sway in
Hamilton. There have been 74 deaths from the ‘flu’ and 24 from pneumonia. Dr.
Roberts, medical officer of health, stated that the majority of the pneumonia
deaths were undoubtedly indirectly attributable to influenza. The figures
include deaths reported to Friday last.
“Dr. Roberts further
maintains that there have been 19,000 cases of ‘flu’ in Hamilton, and probably
many more in which those affected did not become at all serious and were not
reported. It was on October 3 that the first death from ‘flu’ was reported. On
October 4, a death occurred of pneumonia. The day on which the largest number of
deaths was reported of ‘flu’ was October 19 when ten deaths were recorded
“In that number of deaths up
to Friday last totaled but 98 at most, the health authorities contend that the
epidemic has not had nearly as serious results as in other cities.””
What that, everyone took a
deep breath, gathered their papers and walked out of the City Hall.
No comments:
Post a Comment