As an introduction, please
accept this offering a very much a work in progress. This is a goal unreached
as my high tech abilities are as low tech as possible without being totally
computer illiterate. Making my own web site is not even remotely possible.
There is so much to absorb
about the city of Hamilton as the year 1918 drew to a close. In its context
within the County of Wentworth, the Province of Ontario, the Dominion of
Canada, Hamilton underwent a myriad of stresses and changes similar to other places.
What will happen, as the
impulse to get this going on a temporary location. The 100th
anniversary of a very tumultuous time is a hand, and it is my intention to
share the events, personalities, color etc. from the perspectives of reporters
working with the Hamilton Spectator and the Hamilton Herald primarily (files of
1918 Hamilton Times are not complete on the microfilm.)
There will be two parts to
this effort – part 1 covers primarily, the month of October through to around
Nov. 7, 1918, part 2 covers the rest of 1918.
The summer of 1918 had only
just officially come to an end, but warm, and, for the most part, pleasant
weather. On Sunday, September 27, a church parade was held.
Soldiers, stationed at the Royal
Air Force armament school, on Aberdeen avenue, near Longwood Road, marched but
several of the marchers had to give up collapse by the side of the street. It
was not the heat of the day that was the problem, but the effects of Spanish
influenza.
“It was reported this morning that Spanish
influenza had broken out in the R. A. F. armament school, West Hamilton, and
that it was causing the medical officers there considerable alarm. During the
past week, a large number of cases had developed and many of these had broken
out in two days. While parade was in progress yesterday afternoon, some of the
men fell out of the ranks, it was said today. Included among the victims of the
dread disease are officers. A reason for the outbreak of the illness was said
to be a brick floor in the barracks on which the men are obliged to stand. On
account of it of it being cold most of the time and dampness coming from it,
the disease may have been assisted in its development.”1
1
“Influenza is Reported in West Hamilton”
Hamilton
Spectator. September 28, 1918.
The
sight of soldiers collapsing on the city streets was the first public
manifestation of Spanish influenza. With stunning rapidity, the manifestation
of a few cases of the disease morphed into a full blown health emergency.
While
the ultimate explanation for the initial source of Spanish influenza (NOT
Spain!) was unknown at the time, there was a definite suspicion that it had
been brought into the city by military personnel, such as those trained, and
housed at the big building, still standing but vacant, on the north side of the
far west end of Aberdeen avenue :
“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. 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.”2
2 “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.
There was a substantial
military barracks, with its own hospital, in the eastern part of 1918, off King
street east :
“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. So far the epidemic has not made its
appearance at the Brant house, though there was one suspect a day or so ago.
“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 early last ……. 2
2 (Continuation
not available on microfilm)
“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 Hamilton Herald
published on the same day as the above-quoted account from the Spectator . The
Herald account, in full, follows :
“The so-called ‘Spanish Influenza,’ which has been
very prevalent in the United States and Eastern Canada, has struck Hamilton,
though in a mild form. Several hundred cases have developed within the past few
days, but none of them is serious.
“The armament school of the
Royal Air service, West Hamilton, reports quite a number of cases, and its
patients have been removed to the military hospital, East King street.
“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.
“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.
“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.” 3
3 “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.
As September turned into
October, 1918, it was unclear whether the reported arrival of Spanish influenza
into Hamilton was something to be of concern or was something to fear. The
Spectator published the following on October 2, 1918 :
“The fight against the outbreak of Spanish
influenza was progressing favorably today in the local military hospitals. A
large number of cases under treatment had shown marked improvement and, with
the exception of three or four suspects, there had been no further development
of the disease among Hamilton soldiers.
“As a precautionary measure
against further attacks by the ‘flu,’ all members of the Royal Air force in
Hamilton and other centers have been ordered to have their throats sprayed
twice daily with a preventative. This order came into effect this morning. The
armament school in West Hamilton remained under quarantine, but, if conditions
continued to improve as they had since Monday, it might be lifted by the end of
the week.
“Regarding the civilian
population, Captain Roberts, medical health officer, said there had been no
fresh cases reported since yesterday, though there was every likelihood of an
outbreak of the epidemic before the end of the winter.
“ ‘I would not be surprised
if between thirty and forty per cent of the population became affected after
the cold weather sets in,’ concluded the captain.”4
4 “Spanish
‘Flu’ May Spread in Cold Weather : M.H.O. Fears 30 Per Cent of People Will Have
It : Throat Spray Ordered for Airmen Twice Daily.”
Hamilton Spectator. October 02, 1918
(TO BE CONTINUED !)
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