There had been some
encouraging new on the epidemic front during the latter part of the previous week,
but when Monday, October 28, 1918 arrived the grim effects of it were still
very present :
“Over the weekend 17 deaths have been reported
in the city while the number of new cases recorded was 39. The hospitals are
still crowded, and the number of applications for admission are about the same
as the daily average last week.”1
1 “Seventeen
Deaths By Influenza Over Weekend : This is About Average Maintained During Last
Week : Many Nurses Are Ill and Hospital Staff is Hard Worked”
Hamilton Herald. October 28, 1918.
The hospital set up by the
Canadian Patriotic Fund for the families of soldiers serving overseas in the
former Martin home, Ballianhinch
received the following mention in the Herald issued on the 28th:
“Reports from the patriotic
fund’s relief hospital today shows all patients doing as well as can be
expected. It has not been found possible to extend the accommodations.
Twenty-seven have been treated to date, but it is hoped that during the day or
tomorrow that two beds may be available.
“The following letter from a young gentleman
of the southwest is much appreciated by the committee in charge:
‘Dear Mr. Lovering – When
mother told me you were opening a hospital for the ‘flu’ I said I would like to
help you a little, so I am sending you a small check.’
“The check in question is
being used to supply little comforts for the children in the hospital.”1
Activity at the Diet Kitchen
operating in the basement of the First Methodist Church was intense over the
weekend:
“The I.O.D.E. sisters of service were actively
engaged in the work of the diet kitchen all day Sunday. Ninety-five baskets
were sent out to the homes of influenza patients and diets thereby provided for
four hundred and three persons.
“During the week 396 baskets
were prepared and sent out. During the same period 1625 diets were provided for
afflicted persons.
“The ladies having the work
in charge are highly gratified by the increasing interest of a practical kind
being manifested by a number of public-spirited citizens.
“Additional offers of
home-made delicacies and the provision of motors to transport baskets to the
patients will be welcomed by the committee doing its bit in the First Methodist
church.”1
The Herald drew attention to
the serum which had been produced at the City Hospital by Dr. Jaffray :
“An urgent request is being
sent out to all who have recovered from Spanish influenza to help fight against
this epidemic by donating a small quantity of their blood.
“Quite a number have already
offered themselves for this service; but more are required that the supply of
the serum may be augmented.”
The Spectator that same day also
addressed the need for blood donors as well:
“Hamilton has every reason to be proud that a
local doctor – Dr. W. R. Jaffray, bacteriologist at the city hospital – has
brought such distinction on the city by his successful researches in connection
with the Spanish influenza. He is the discoverer of a vaccine which has proved
a most effective preventive of the disease, and of a serum which has been used
with remarkable success in the treatment of actual sufferers.
“The medical profession of
Hamilton is appealing to recovered influenza patients to supply a small
quantity of their blood from which to make the serum. The amount drawn off is
too small to injuriously affect the health of the patient in any way, and the
serum thus obtained may be the means of saving a life. There should be many in
the city, who, out of gratitude for their own recovery, would be willing to
thus serve their afflicted fellows. No charge is made for the serum to the
patients receiving it, and scrupulous impartiality is observed in its
administration. Dr. Jaffray’s beneficent work for humanity should not be
hampered through lack of necessary material.”2
2 “Influenza Serum.”
Hamilton Spectator. October 28, 1918.
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