“To a Hamilton physician
belongs the honor of having discovered and first used the preventive vaccine
which minimizes the dangers of the virulent scourge of Spanish influenza which
is ravaging the country.”
Hamilton Spectator. October 21, 1918
On October 21, 1918, the
people of Hamilton at last could read some hopeful news regarding the fight
against the Spanish Influenza which was causing so much suffering, and death in
the city:
“It was announced today that
Dr. Jaffray, pathologist at the city hospital, who two weeks ago produced an
influenza vaccine, which has since been administered to almost a thousand
people, is now working on a serum. The serum will be based on the principle of
diphtheria serum and made from the blood of patients who have recovered from
influenza. The vaccine is used as a preventive and the serum will be
administered to patients stricken with the disease.
“And Hamilton was two weeks
ahead of the other places which claim the distinction of having discovered the
preventive vaccine!
“Two weeks ago Sunday, the
first soldiers were inoculated with Dr. Jaffray’s vaccine, which was made from
one of the fatal cases here.
“Since that time, it has
been supplied to doctors free of charge. Owing to the difficulty of preparing
the vaccine in large quantities, the cultivation of the germ being a delicate
matter, Dr. Jaffray stated that he had run out several times, but the
preparation goes steadily on, and at present he has a good supply.
“ ‘We haven’t been making a
big noise,’ said Dr. Jaffray this morning, ‘but we’re right here with the
goods! It’s the same vaccine as Rosenow’s, and as the Toronto people’s. So far,
we’ve given out 800 or 1,000 doses, and close observation has proved that the
results are excellent. The vaccine is not used as a remedy, merely as a
preventive, which renders the disease less liable to be contracted, and of a
much less dangerous character if it is contracted.’”1
1“Dr.
Jaffrey Prepares Serum for Influenza : Produced Vaccine Two Weeks Ago, and
Hundreds Have Already Been Treated : 12
Deaths and 80 New Cases Since Saturday – Hospital at Jockey Club Opened”
Hamilton Spectator. October 21, 1918.
In other news, the grim news
of cases and fatalities resulting from the flu continued :
“With the epidemic yet to
reach its crest, Hamilton was waging desperate warfare against the influenza
today. The death list took a big leap during the weekend, twelve more
fatalities being registered. Eighty new cases were reported during the past
twenty-four hours to the board of health, but it is admitted that this total
represents only a part of the number of new cases in this city.”1
Monday, October 21, 1918 was
the day that the ban on public assemblies went into effect:
“The order of the board of
health, closing as schools, public meetings, theaters and other gatherings,
went into effect today. It is stated that while the board of health has the
power to enact more stringent regulations, no further restrictions are at
present being contemplated. The new regulations will remain in force for at
least two weeks, and by that time, it is anticipated that the epidemic will
have spent its force. The closing order was very gradually approved by the
citizens, and inconveniences due thereto were borne without much murmuring, the
attitude of the school children in this regard being very commendable.”1
The Board of Health ban on
public gatherings had originally be scheduled before the weekend, but had been
changed to Monday. Whether that decision was to accommodate church leaders, or
was the result of pressure by theater owners would lobbied for one more weekend
of revenue before being shut down :
“The attendance at churches
and Sunday schools yesterday showed a very marked decrease. In nearly all the
churches, the sermon was waived, and only very short sessions of prayer were
held. In Roman Catholic churches only one mass was said and vespers in the
evening.
“Sunday was spent very
quietly; a hush seemed to be in the city in the presence of the visitation of
the virulent disease. Many citizens took advantage of the lifting of the ban on
gasoline, and motored during the afternoon and evening. :2
2 “Using Vaccine in the Fight Against ‘Flu’ :
Dr. Jaffrey at Hospital Isolated Germ and Found Remedy : All Forces Unite in Fighting Plague – 13
More Deaths Reported”
Hamilton Herald. October 21, 1918
The other board of health
ruling, the one regarding open windows on Hamilton street cars was proving unpopular,
particularly with the drivers and conductors:
“The greatest discomfort has been experienced
on the street cars through the board of health’s order that all windows shall
be thrown open. If the city is visited by wet weather, either the order will
have to be relaxed or the situation will become intolerable. In the meantime,
the crews of the cars are protesting vigorously, and Ald. Hodgson stated this
morning that he had learned that a big crop of retirements from the staff of
the street railway company was about due. Several of the men are reported to
have taken cold and now confined to their beds.”1
In all the distress in the
city, some deeply-entrenched prejudices bubbled to the surface:
“The ignorance of a large section of the
foreign population regarding the disease is pitiful, Dr. Roberts stated today.
A great many are possessed of the impression that alcohol can give alleviation,
and the fever combined with the alcohol often produced delirium tremens. There
was a commotion at the Victoria Convalescent hospital last night when a foreign
patient became delirious, and it required the efforts of several nurses to hold
him down. Dr. Roberts was notified that he would have to be removed to the city
hospital. The city hospital authorities were notified,, but they stated that
the man could not be taken in. Then the jail was suggested, but the health
officer decided that a patient could not be placed among criminals. Admission
was finally secured at the general hospital. There are at present three or four
cases of the D. T.’s at the hospital.”1
The results of the effort to
increase hospital accommodation as a result of the epidemic was showing
results:
“The temporary at the Jockey Club hotel,
corner of Barton and Ottawa streets, which has been taken over from the east
end branch of the Great War Veterans’ association by the board of health, for
the accommodation of flu patients, was opened this afternoon, and will
materially relieve the situation in the east end of the city, where the number
of cases has been large. Since Saturday, a staff consisting of nursing sisters
and workers has been employed unceasingly to put the building in shape, and
wonders have been accomplished. On Saturday, there was no electricity, gas,
water or heating at the hotel. All these have been put in since then. The place
has been scrubbed from the top to bottom, and all things are now ready.
“Miss McBeth is in charge of
the new hospital, and there is a staff of six nursing sisters. The health board
was fortunate in securing the premises before the furnishings were sold, so
that there were a number of double beds on hand, which, however, will be used
for single beds. Twenty-five more single beds were brought from the nurses’
home on the mountain top yesterday afternoon and fitted up. Arrangements have
been made for private and semi-private wards. The spacious dining room on the
main floor will be converted into a public ward. The barroom may also be
converted into a ward.
“Dr. James Roberts, M.H.O., Controller Jutten,
Inspector Shain and T. H. Pratt, of the hospital board, made an inspection of
the new hospital this morning, and all were agreed that the board of health had
made a great stroke of business in securing the hotel. T.H. Pratt was quite
enthused and said that when the board of health was through with the premises,
he would make a bid to secure them for an isolation hospital.
“When all arrangements are
completed, the Jockey Club hotel will accommodate fifty patients. The Victoria
Convalescent home, on Barton street east, at present contains 25 patients and
more beds are being added.”1
As had been the cases for
many, many days, there were citizens in Hamilton working exhaustively to fight
the epidemic. As usual Dr. Roberts was the one who was in the middle of
everything:
“The staff of the board of
health, medical men, nurses and various societies are all working like Trojans
to keep pace with the epidemic. Dr. Roberts and Controller Jutten have been
working unceasingly. The phones of these gentlemen were ringing late at night
and into the morning during the weekend. Physicians notify the health officer
by phone of distressing cases. Sometimes, it is a little child who is
dangerously ill, sometimes an entire family is in distress, sometimes a patient
becomes delirious and assistance has to be rendered right away. T. H. Pratt,
chairman of the hospital board, is also rendering great service. He has been
appointed purchasing agent in the combatting of the epidemic.
“Mayor Booker spent two or three hours
yesterday in getting a line on the situation in the city after recovering from
his indisposition. He paid a visit to the new hospital at the Jockey club
yesterday, and expressed himself as enthusiastic over its being secured by the
board of health. He wished the press to extend his congratulations to Dr.
Roberts, and further stated that in his opinion the place should be turned into
an isolation hospital for infectious diseases when the present epidemic abates.
There has been a great need of such an institution in the city.”1
The issue of whether or not
liquor should be available for influenza continued:
“There continues to be considerable
disagreement between medical authorities as to the usefulness of alcohol in the
present crisis. While many physicians have been loudly condemning the use of
alcohol, W. B. Graham, registrar of the Ontario College of Pharmacy, at the
request of Vice-Cairman W. S. Dingman, of the Ontario license board, has sent
out an appeal to druggists throughout the province who have heretofore not sold
liquor, to abandon their scruples during the crisis, and fill doctors’
prescriptions that call for alcohol. Druggists are only allowed to fill
prescriptions up to six ounces.”1
There was so much tragedy
and distress resulting from the epidemic. Any loss was hard to bear but when
young men who had served at the Western Front returned home to great joy, but
then were taken away by the influenza scourge:
“Citizens generally
will learn with regret of the untimely death late Saturday afternoon of Lieut.
George Victor Robison, only son of George W. and Mrs. Robinson, Ravenscliffe
avenue, and to the sorrowing parents, a deep and sincere sympathy will be
extended.
“Of a particularly lovable
and unassuming disposition, which had endeared him to a host of warm friends,
Victor Robinson’s passing removes from the young life of the city one who was
at the very threshold of a career of exceptional promise. On his entering the
department store of which his father is the head, his association with the
management of the business soon proved that he was possessed of the qualities
that makes for business success, and it is certain that he would, had he been
spared, follow in the family traditions by attaining prominence in the
mercantile world.
“Lieut. Robinson was born in
Galt 23 years ago, but the greater part of his life had been spent in this
city. He was educated at Highfield school, afterwards entering the employ of
the G. W. Robinson company and becoming associated with the management of the
business.
“About two and a half years
ago, he became attached to the A.S.C. He had been at Petawawa with his corps
and obtained four days’ leave to visit his parents prior to proceeding to
Kingston in connection with his military duties. It was while at home on his
leave that he contracted Spanish influenza, which rapidly developed into
pneumonia, terminating fatally on Saturday.
“Besides his parents, two
sisters are left to mourn his death, Mrs. R. P. McBride, Charlton apartments,
this city, and Mrs. W. Vair, Galt.
“Speaking of Victor
Robinson, J. H. Collinson said:
‘Victor Robison was at Highfield for six years and was the
contemporary of many who have given their service, and their lives, for the
empire. Like all the others, he was imbued with the spirit of patriotism which
surged within him from the very beginning of the war. From the first, he longed
to do his part, and he was not happy until he was wearing the khaki. His
disappointment at being refused for overseas service was intense, and when he
had to relinquish his duties for a time to take a necessary rest, he expressed
envy for those who were privileged to make the great sacrifice at the front.
His spirit was as true and his service as complete as though he had died on the
field of battle. He did his duty nobly to the every end, and was worthy to join
the gallant throng of brave souls who have saved a world from wrong.”3
3“Lieut.
G. V. Robison Called By Death : Influenza Cut Off Another Fine Life : Young Officer Home On Leave When Stricken”
Hamilton Spectator. October 21, 1918.
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