1918-10-23 Getting Better ??

“After raging for three weeks and claiming nearly a hundred victims, the tide of the Spanish influenza scourge is beginning to recede.”

Hamilton Spectator. October 23, 1918.

After weeks of the Spanish influenza epidemic’s effects, readers of the Spectator were heartened somewhat on October 23, 1918 when there was a sense that better days were coming.

In an article headlined, “Influenza Scourge is Diminishing Now,” the following appeared:

“There were fifty new cases reported in the past twenty-four hours, but  the demands and doctors were not so numerous, and it is hoped that the crest has been reached. Only six deaths were reported today.

“The little army of doctors and nurses continue to battle might and main. There were many cases of distress to be attended to, particularly those in which entire families were laid low by the plague. Physicians’ phones were ringing continuously, and many complaints of inability to get any medical assistance whatever. The doctors, however, protest against the practice some people have of putting in calls four or five times. They say they are rushing to attend cases in the order in which they are reported, and are doing everything they can.”¹

¹ “Influenza Scourge Is Diminishing Now : Health Authorities Believe That Hamilton is Over Crest of Epidemic.”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 23, 1918.

At the daily Board of Health meeting, the Medical Health officer, Dr. Roberts called for people all over Hamilton to look out for and looked after their neighbors who may have been laid low by influenza:

“Much of the distress is caused by the failure of neighbors to lend a hand to sick families owing to fear that they might be caught by the infection. Relief Officer McMenemy has his attention called to several such cases. In one instance, a woman and two children were sick and neighbors declined to lend any assistance. Dr. Roberts finally secured help for them.

“Another extreme case on Mary street was brought to his notice. A woman whose husband was in hospital in France, was sick with her two little ones, one of them aged eight years and the other two. They were all in bed with no one to render them any assistance. The relief officer called Dr. Roberts and he finally secured admission for them to the general hospital, Dr. Langrill making room for them. On Stanley avenue, a family consisting of a man, his wife, and two children were all in bed suffering from the influenza.”¹

At the same Board of Health, a loosening of the order to the effect that all windows on street cars was made :

“Responding to protests against the opening wide of all windows in street cars, the board of health yesterday effected a modification of the original order. It was agreed that all ventilators should be opened, the central window of each vestibule, and one window on each side of the car. This went into effect this morning and brought vast relief.

“ ‘We have given the people enough fresh air for the next few days,’ said Dr. Roberts. He said that his investigation showed that the complaints formerly made that the ventilators were closed tight were mostly without foundation. Regarding the complaints that the Dundas and other suburban cars were overcrowded, he said that this could not be avoided, any more than could the city street cars when the workmen poured from the factories.¹

Hamilton’s Medical Officer Dr. Roberts was not in favor of the use of alcohol or face masks in efforts to deal with the epidemic, but others did not share his opinion:

                    “Those who advocate the relaxation of the liquor restrictions in order to combat the ‘flu have found a champion in Dr. Murray McFarlane, a well-known Toronto physician. He says that the government should take immediate steps to allow the free use of alcohol during the present conditions. In the pneumonia stage, a little nip of whisky is the best thing in the world, he avers. Dr. McFarlane is a strong prohibitionist, too.

“The physician likewise advocates the use of the influenza mask on the streets.

“ ‘ When people sneeze or cough on the streets, the disease germs are set floating in the air, and are consequently inhaled by passersby,’ he says. 

Whatever was the best advice on those two things was less important than acknowledging that maybe, just maybe the worst of the epidemic had come, and things would be improving soon:

The lead Spectator editorial for October 23 1918 , headlined ‘At The Crest’, tried to bring encouragement to the paper’s readers:

 “Dr. McCullough, the provincial medical health officer, announces that by Friday the influenza epidemic will have past its worse in Ontario. That is a most comforting assurance based on the experiences of other places visited by the scourge. Already reports are coming in from some points that an abatement of the disease is discernible. In the meantime, the local situation is being handled in a manner which reflects the greatest credit upon those who have volunteered to cope with it. Conspicuous among them is the Ontario Volunteer Aid association, the Hamilton branch of which was organized last night. For the promotion of this valuable body, Mrs. Henry Carpenter, the efficient and energetic vice-president, is deserving of great credit.”

“With six hospital in the city fighting the disease, and with Mr. Lovering’s scheme for caring for the patients among the soldiers’ dependents in operation, Hamilton has met the crisis in a prompt and praiseworthy manner. There seems to be no sure preventive of the disease. The fact that one-fourth of the city’s doctors have contracted the ailment through attending their patients shows how highly infectious it is. The only safeguard is to avoid all risk, and take every precaution. The authorities are doing everything possible to grapple with the situation ; it is the duty of all to second their efforts.”²

 ² “At the Crest”

Hamilton Spectator.    Editorial October 23, 1918.

When reading some positive about the progress and possible cresting of the influenza epidemic, the reality remained that there was distress all over the city, and the resources to cope were stretched to the maximum:³

³ “One of the saddest cases yet reported where the deadly influenza has carried off the breadwinner came to notice this morning. An Italian, Benedetto Grottoli by name, 243 Brant street, was taken ill on Saturday and died in the city hospital on Sunday. Grottoli’s wife is a helpless cripple, and had only recently returned to her home after having spent months in the hospital. She has five small children to care for and little or no means. Her fellow-countrymen are raising a subscription to temporarily care for the family.”