“Hamilton, with its theaters
and places of amusement closed on Monday, presented a very ‘dead’ appearance,
but the citizens took the situation philosophically”
Hamilton Spectator. October 26, 1918.
The after the Hamilton Board
of Health’s closing order went into effect, both the Hamilton Spectator
reporters seemed overwhelmed with the amount of news which needed to be
published concerning the influenza epidemic.
Therefore, in both papers,
with space at a premium, long stories about the effects of the epidemic on the
city were replaced with many, one or two paragraph items.
First the Spectator :
“The weekly report of the
board of health showed 253 cases of influenza as reported to the board. Just
how unreliable these figures are, however, was well-illustrated when Dr. Awrey,
after the report have been made out, walked into the board of health office and
submitted a stack of 106 reports of influenza cases. Most of them were not new
cases, for the physician, like most others engaged in fighting the ‘flu’ have
been too busy to report the cases daily. Consequently, there will be no
accurate estimate made of the number of cases which have occurred in the city
until the epidemic dies down.
DAMP WEATHER MEANS DEATH
“Officials throughout the
province, however, are confident that the worst has now been reached, if not
passed. Eight new cases were reported to the local board today, and a total of
18 deaths were registered. The mortality, it is stated, has been heightened by
the damp, mild weather.
COMPENSATION
FOR LOSSES
“Whether or not the
theaters, bowling alleys, pool rooms and other concerns affected by the closing
order, shall receive compensation, is a question that may be discussed by the
board of control when the epidemic has abated. The Winnipeg authorities have
decided upon a rebate of license taxes of six months, and they are also
contributing to the employees’ fund for employees who have been thrown out of
work by the closing order. Mayor Booker said that he would not advocate such a
move, but Controller Jutten said this morning that the matter would have to be
considered later.
DIET KITCHEN OPEN SUNDAY
“In order that those who are
depending upon the I.O.D.E. diet kitchen for their food for the influenza
patients, the kitchen will be open all day Sunday, and a full staff of workers
will be in attendance at the First Methodist church kitchen.
“Doctors and nurses are
reminded that those in charge of the kitchen will gladly respond to any calls
that made to supply soups, jellies, custards, etc. to those who are unable to
provide for themselves.”1
1 “Dying
Out : Fewer Cases of Influenza Reported Here Today”
Hamilton Spectator. October 26, 1918.
From the Hamilton Herald,
October 26, 1918 :
“Today from some angles, the present epidemic
seems to be on the downward path, and close to the end of its run. Six new
deaths have taken place since yesterday, thus showing an increase in the
mortality among those already infected. Only eight new cases were reported to
the board of health this morning.
“It is apparent that there
is a large number of cases that have not been reported to the health
department. However, it is thought that the number not reported is not
alarming, and the conditions are improving daily.
SERUM
“Dr. Jaffray, in charge of
the city laboratories, refused to make any statement this morning on the
progress he has made in preparing serumfor the cure of influenza.
DECREASE FOR WEEK
“The medical health officer’s
report for the week shows : Chickenpox at 4, scarlet fever at 3 and influenza
at 252. The number of new cases of ‘flu’ this week is than half of last week’s
report. This again points to the belief that the crest of the epidemic has been
mounted, if not passed.
CHINESE DISEASE
“Capt. Dr. Joseph King, of
the U.S. medical staff, states that the epidemic is the same as the malignant
pneumonic plague which ravaged China intermittently for several years. He
argues that the epidemic was not known until large numbers of Chinamen were
brought through Canada and the United States on their way to the western front.
Dr. Blue, director of the United States medical service, states that the
epidemic is nothing but the grip.
“Local physicians say that
the ‘flu’ is very much different from la
grippe, however, they treat it much after the same style.
FILTHY CONDITIONS
“In investigating many of
the cases that apply for help at the health officer’s office, a Herald representative
learned that Hamilton has a slum, but it is not located in one district. In the
center part of the city, where a nurse had been in attendance, it was found
that a young man, with over twenty empty whisky bottles in his room, ate, slept
and lived in one room. The filth that was confined into the space occupied by
him is indescribable. For some time, infected with the ‘flu’ he had lain in bed
with a collar, sweater and a pair of socks on. The trousers were missing. Other
cases which have needed attention have brought to light incidents that are
astonishing.”2
2 “Eleven
More Deaths From Spanish ‘Flu’ : Cases Reported This Week Less Than Half of
previous week : Only 253 Cases Were Reported this week.”
Hamilton Herald October 26, 1918
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