October 17, 1918 was yet
another day in Hamilton when the effects of the Spanish Influenza epidemic was
causing concern in the city.
At the session of the
Hamilton Police Court, Police Magistrate Jelfs initiated his own ban as a
result of the epidemic :
“A crowded police court this morning, packed
to the doors with foreigners, some of whom were coughing and sneezing, caused
Magistrate Jelfs to order the court cleared of everyone who had not been
summoned to be present. At the same time, he issued instructions that, while
the epidemic of Spanish influenza continued to ravage the city, the doors of
the court were to be kept locked and only those who had business in the court
were to be admitted.
“ ‘Chief,’ instructed the
magistrate, ‘put that man out. That man in the second row. He’s got a bad cough
and has no business in here.’
“ ‘It’s not fair that so
many people should be allowed to congregate in this court room when such a
serious epidemic is playing havoc in the city. I want the doors locked in the
future so that this will not occur again.
“ ‘We try to conduct the
proceedings here quite openly and in fairness to the public, but in times like
this we must take precautions. As long as we have an able press to report what
is done in this court, I see no reason why the place should be packed to the
doors every morning.’ ”1
1 “Cleared
Police Court Today : Chief Shooed Sneezing Foreigners Into Open : Only People
With Business Admitted : Precaution Taken On Advice of Magistrate”
Hamilton Spectator. October 17, 1918.
In other news, the increased
demand for liquor as a result of the epidemic caused a problem :
“Just to what length Hamiltonians are prepared
to fight the epidemic is evident by the fact that the government liquor
dispensary on Charles street actually ran out of imperial quart bottles
yesterday. There were lots of the wine measure quarts and imperial pints in
stock, but it would seem from the conversation of the prescription holders that
nothing less than a full imperial quart of booze is of any value as a
preventive or cure for the ‘flu.’
“ Rather than miss the
chance of getting every last drop their prescriptions entitled them to, many
customers took a chance of getting the ‘flu,’ or dying of it and waited until
today for the new supply of imperial quarts which were rushed to the dispensary.
“Inspector Sturdy stated
this morning that many doctors who hitherto had steadfastly refused to issue
liquor prescriptions, were now giving their ‘flu’ patients orders for whisky.
He considered that the privilege was not being abused and that it would not be
right for him to intervene at a time like this.”2
2 “More
Victims of Influenza : Dispensary Cleaned Out of Quart Bottles”
Hamilton Herald. October 17, 1918.
Several Hamilton nurses, who
had travelled to Boston to help flu victims in that city, where the epidemic
had manifested itself earlier, were on their way back to Hamilton as nurses
were desperately needed:
“Dr. Roberts this morning
received a wire from Boston stating that eight of the nurses who had been
dispatched to Boston at the early stages of the outbreak of the epidemic had
already left for Hamilton, and it was stated the rest would follow in a few
days. The nurses who were on their way are Misses Longly, Levy, Waddell, Galbraith,
Ferry, Finn and Witthun. Two of the Hamilton party are convalescing from
attacks of the ‘flu.’ Dr. Roberts wired asking for the return of the nurses on
Monday.”
1 Hamilton
Herald. October 17, 1918
At the same time, steps were
being actively taken assemble enough volunteers to assist in helping flu
victims :
“So far twenty women have
volunteered to Mrs. Harry Carpenter for service under the banner of the
Canadian Emergency Nursing league, and in the course of another day,
arrangements will be made for the opening of a lecture course by physicians,
when a local branch of the league will be formed. Any woman who will volunteer
for this work, in case her services are required, is requested to communicate
with Mrs. Carpenter at Regent 2333.”1
The Hamilton Board of Health’s
ban on public gathering received some reaction when representative of the city’s
faith and entertainment communities made representations to the board :
“Board of Health Stick to
Monday Closing Order : After More Discussion Decides to Let Things Run Till
Then : Eight More Deaths Have Been Reported Since Yesterday”
Hamilton Herald. October 17, 1918.
(PARTIAL)
“Local preachers and
theatrical managers met Dr. Roberts and representatives of the board of health
in the city hall last evening to discuss the closing order, and decided that
the order was not a correct one, and that it would do more good to allow
gatherings until that date.
“Several of the ministers
stated that the churches were needed and should not be closed. One stated that
he had a children’s meeting Sunday and did not want it interfered with by the
order being enforced now. Rev. Dr. Banks Nelson was in favor of an immediate
closing and talked with considerable force on the subject.
READY TO CLOSE UP
“The theatrical men stated
that they did not oppose closing and would do anything possible to assist the
board of health in any stand it might take. Manager Turner of Loew’s theater
stated that he would be pleased to have his theater used as a place of mass
meetings where the health officer and his staff could explain to the public the
necessity of caution and how to protect themselves, if there was a way to do
so.
“It was the general feeling
at the meeting that if the schools were kept open, as well as churches, etc.,
where short speeches on the prevention of Spanish ‘flu’ could be given, it
would do more good than closing at once and leaving the general public in the
dark as to what it was all about.
“One theater manager stated
that there were masses of people who could not read or write, and the only way
to reach such people was by word of mouth. He stated that there was no question
of a large number of cases among these people and they hardly knew what it was.
They just considered themselves sick and not afflicted with the disease which
is now raging.”2
2 “Board
of Health Stick to Monday Closing Order : After More Discussion Decides to Let
Things Run Till Then : Eight More Deaths Have Been Reported Since Yesterday”
Hamilton Herald. October 17, 1918.
The ban, although decided
upon at the Board level, required an official proclamation by the City of Hamilton:
“ This morning the chairman and medical
officer of the board of health prepared a rough draft of the proclamation which
is being published today, in regard to preventive measures for dealing with
Spanish influenza, and tonight the city solicitor will put the final touches on
it and have it conform to the statues. In this proclamation, which will be
published in the newspapers, and printed on hangers in several languages for
displaying in the industrial district and in factories, it is ordered that all
theaters, schools, seminaries, dance halls, billiard and poolrooms, and other
places of public gatherings, be closed. Public gatherings, it was explained by
Dr. Roberts, will include football or other athletic affairs in the open. This
clause will also the holding of religious services in the open air, on church
grounds, such as was done by one denomination in Brantford, and which action
was under consideration here by some clergymen.
“The proclamation will also
prohibit the use of a common towel or drinking vessel, and that not more than
four passengers shall be admitted to an elevator in any building at one time.
“A sweeping order will be
issued to the traction companies, calling for the keeping open not only of the
ventilators, but all the windows on one side of all the street cars and
suburban cars. It is reported that the conductors on most of the city cars have
respected the board of health’s request to keep the cars well-ventilated, but
some of the cons. on suburban lines have totally ignored the instruction
issued. A passenger on the Dundas car last night called attention to the
conductor that no ventilators were open in the main body of the car which was
fairly well-filled, and he stated that he knew nothing about any ventilation
instruction and anyway he ventilators were out of order. With a view to forcing
many workers to walk for their own safety and preventing crowding one the cars,
at certain hours, a stop order covering certain periods of the days will be
issued. To facilitate retail business in the heart of the city by women who
live some distance out, it is again suggested that as many as possible do their
buying in the morning hours, when the stores and the cars are patronized least.
“The proclamation may not be
the final one issued by the board, Dr. Roberts stated this morning. Further
prohibitive orders will be issued if the board considers it wise to do so, he
stated.”3
3 “Cars
Must Travel With Open Windows : Stop Order Will Be Enforced, If Necessary, at
Certain Periods of the Day : Only Four Persons Allowed in Elevator at Same
Time - Other ‘Flu’ Restrictions”
Hamilton Spectator. October 17, 1918.
While the Hamilton Medical
Society had put together its thoughts on how to cope with the epidemic, the
Hamilton Board of Health did the same and issued the following :
“The board of health today issued the
following bulletin “
Avoid contact with other
people as far as possible, Especially avoid crowds indoors, in street cars,
theaters, motion-picture houses and other places of public assemblage.
Avoid persons suffering from
‘colds,’ sore throats and coughs.
Avoid chilling of the body
or living rooms below 65 deg. Or above 72 deg. F.
Sleep and work in clean,
fresh air.
Keep your hands clean, and
keep them out of your mouth.
Avoid expectorating in
public places, and see that others do likewise.
Avoid visiting the sick.
Eat plain, nourishing food
and avoid alcoholic stimulants.
“Cover your nose with your
handkerchief when you sneeze, your mouth when you cough. Change handkerchiefs
frequently. Promptly disinfect soiled handkerchiefs by boiling or washing with
soap and water.
Don’t worry. Keep your feet
warm. Wet feet demand prompt attention. Wet clothes are dangerous and must be
removed as soon as possible.
WHAT TO DO FOR INFLUENZA AND COLDS
Oftentimes it is impossible
to tell a cold from mild influenza.
Therefore :
If you get a cold, go to bed
in a well-ventialted room. Keep warm.
Keep away from other people.
Do not kiss anyone. Use individual basins, and knives, forks, spoons, towels,
handkerchiefs, soap, wash plates and cups.
Every influenza patient
should go to bed at once under the care of a physician. The patient should stay
in bed at least three days after fever has disappeared and until convalescence
is well established.
The patient must not cough
or sneeze except when a mask or handkerchief is held before the face.
He should be in a warm,
ventilated room.
There is no specific for the
disease. Symptoms should be met as they arie.
The great danger is from
pneumonia. Avoid it by staying in bed while actually ill and until
convalescence is fully established
“The after effects of influenza
are worse than the disease. Take care of yourself.””3
3 “TO
AVOID INFLUENZA”
Hamilton Spectator. October 17, 1918.
Finally, the editorial page
of the Spectator carried advice to all Hamiltonians in light of the epidemic:
“The closing of the schools,
churches and theaters, after Sunday next, and the issuing of special permits
for gatherings of over thirty people, together with the alarming forecast of
the doctors, emphasizes in the most impressive way the seriousness of the
epidemic which is raging in our city. There has been a reluctance to take this
drastic step, but since advice and solicitation have been unavailing to keep
people from public assemblies, no other course was open. The disease must be
curbed by every possible means.
“The formation of the
Ontario Emergency Volunteer auxiliary, for the purpose of coping with the
influenza epidemic, is an excellent movement in harmony with the spirit of
these times of unselfishness and sacrifice. The object is to give these women
workers a hurried training to fit them for the duties they will be called upon
to perform. These women – S.O.S., or Sisters of Service – will act as volunteer
assistant nurses, or go into the homes and nurse influenza patients. Mrs. Henry
Carpenter will organize the local branch immediately
“It should not be necessary
to warn all who are at present exempt to avoid every possible risk of
infection. Plenty of fresh air, sunshine and wholesome food, and the shunning
of crowds, are the best preventives of the complaint. Above all, co-operate in
every with those who are striving to fight the scourge; heed the advice and
obey the instructions given.”4
4 “Fighting
Influenza”
Hamilton Spectator. October 17, 1918.
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