1918-09-30gg

“The epidemic of Spanish influenza which broke out late last week at the R.A.F. armament school, West Hamilton, was being viewed with a degree of alarm by the military authorities this morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.  September 30, 1918

The armament school near the intersection of  Longwood Road and Aberdeen avenue had only been in operation since the summer. The Westinghouse company had made its factory available for the Royal Air Force, Canadian division, to use as a place where the mechanics of airplanes, repair and otherwise, could be taught to soldiers. The school contained space for a barracks where as many as 175 to 200 soldiers could be housed while stationed there.

On Monday, September 30, 1918, the Hamilton newspapers carried reports an alarming increase in the numbers at the armament school who had contracted what was called the ‘Spanish Influenza’ contagion:

 “That the situation might be regarded as serious was evident in the fact that the armament school was placed in quarantine at noon on Saturday, and the civilian assistants sent to their homes to remain until further notice. At that time 47 cases of the disease had developed, and by noon today the number had increased to 150. As the hospital at the school could accommodate only 20 patients, the remainder were sent to the East Hamilton military hospital.”¹

¹ “Many Soldiers Fall Victims to Influenza : Nearly 150 Cases At East End Military Hospital : Accommodation Now Taxed at Its Utmost : Armament School Place Under Quarantine”

Hamilton Spectator.    September 30, 1918.

The situation at the east Hamilton military hospital changed for the worse very quickly:

“At that institution, the situation was considered serious. Though the cases admitted thus far were said to be mild, alarm rose from the rapid manner in which the illness is spreading. Up to early this morning, there were 137 admissions at that place. Owing to the unprecedented influx of patients, accommodation for any additional cases was now very limited, and it may be necessary to enlarge the hospital by opening wards in the adjoining C.O.R. barracks. The step was being considered by the officials this morning. The staff had already been increased by additional medical officers, nurses and orderlies from other institutions. Practically all yesterday, ambulances were busy rushing medical and other supplies from the Brant military hospital to the city.”¹

While the medical community did not have a specific identification of what the influenza virus was, how it was spread, how patients contracted it, or how to treat it, the reporters writing about it, as did the general population, had even less knowledge.

The Man for the Spectator said:

“In accounting for the outbreak among the cadets in West Hamilton, it was believed the disease came with a draft of birdmen arriving in the city from the east.” ¹

The man from the Hamilton Herald had this theory:

 “It is said that the form of grip so prevalent now is called ‘Spanish’ because it broke out with great intensity last summer, when upwards of eight million of the population were affected. It is caused by a microbe that is found chiefly in the nasal and bronchial secretions, and is transmitted through coughing or sneezing, or in the use of table napkins, kitchen utensils etc.

“It manifests itself by headaches, dizziness and a temperature that rises to 103 and 104.

“It has been stated that oil of eucalyptus is a specific for this malady, and that by anointing the nostrils with it, it may be checked in its early stages.” ²

²“Spanish ‘Flu’ Has Made Its Appearance Here : Aviation School in West Hamilton Isolated Because of Outbreak : Many Sufferers : Dr. Roberts Advises All Who Have It to Go at Once to Their Beds”

Hamilton Herald.    September 30, 1918.

When the number of soldiers who had contracted the influenza vastly increased in just a few days, the military authorities reached out to officials with the Hamilton Board of Health:

“Dr. Roberts, medical health officer, was called into consultation by the school authorities. On his request, the school was isolated, so none of the cadets will be visiting the city for some days at least.

“The influenza has not been reported from any other institution, though it would not surprise the board of health authorities if it did make its appearance, particularly in homes where children are cared for.

“No alarm is felt by the Hamilton health authorities. Dr. Roberts characterizes it as a form of grip and ordinary influenza. Dr. Roberts believes that the whole epidemic here, as well as elsewhere, is attributable directly to unseasonable weather. He points out that pneumonia follows in cases of grip when those who are ill do not take proper care. He advises all who feel the influenza or grip to go to bed and take the best of care of themselves in order to ensure against complications of a serious nature.” ²

While Dr. Roberts tried to minimize the serious of the outbreak or the possibility that it might develop into an epidemic, many worried citizens took the situation more seriously :

“Druggists report that never before was the demand for remedies for colds and fevers so prevalent. Doctors report the same thing, and there are few local practitioners who have not been called to attend patients with influenza.”²

The hope that the quarantine of the armament school, and the remedies suggested in the press, would halt the rapid and deadly outbreak of Spanish Influenza would soon be gone.