“In the grip of the Spanish influenza epidemic
for one week, the total number of cases under the observance of the health
department up to noon today was 507. Yesterday afternoon, eleven new cases were
reported, and this morning a batch of thirty-five reports were received. That
there are hundreds of other cases, of which the health department has no
knowledge, is admitted. It was pointed out today that the doctors were so busy
that they did not have time to make out daily reports.”
Hamilton Spectator. October 10, 1918.
The epidemic was spreading
across the city so rapidly that both the Board of Health and the city’s
physicians were swamped trying to keep up with it :
“So serious has the epidemic
become that visitors’ days at the city hospital have been discontinued.
Announcement to this effect was made this morning, it being explained that
admittance would be permitted only immediate relatives of patients.
“Only local patients will,
in the future, be provided for at the city hospital. Yesterday, a Thorold
influenza victim, who was refused admittance to St. Catharines city hospital,
was brought to Hamilton. This case, a very serious one, was admitted, but
announced that, until the epidemic is beaten, there would not be accommodation
at the city hospital for outside patients.
“Despite the reports of
expert that serums are worthless until the influenza germ has been identified,
many of the industrial establishments ordered the inoculation of employees it
was learned today.
“Dr. Roberts, medical health
officer, expressed himself as satisfied with preventive measures that have been
taken, and that further drastic steps were not contemplated at this time.
“At the city hospital, the
staff has been particularly hard hit by the influenza. Ill with it are the lady
superintendent, the steward, the housekeeper, two office clerks and the
dietitian.”1
1 “Week’s
Toll of Influenza Five Hundred Cases : Besides Many Which Have Not Been
Reported : Visitors’ Days at City Hospital Discontinued : Employees of
Factories Are Being Inoculated”
Hamilton Spectator. October 10, 1918.
It was widely believed that
alcohol was needed to help influenza sufferers, but it was rumored that some
physicians were charging up to $2 for a prescription – the Ontario Temperance
Act was in force and liquor was available at drug stores and the government
dispensary only by prescription:
“ ‘The doctors in this city who charge $2 for
a prescription for liquor, especially at this time, are shysters, and have not
the support of the decent medical men of the city.’
“The statement was made this
morning by a prominent doctor, following the announcement a couple of days ago
that a number of local doctors had decided to charge $2 for such prescriptions.
“ ‘Liquor is a valuable
household remedy, and at such a time as this, when influenza is epidemic, the
doctor who would advance the charge in the hope of making a few extra dollars
from people who really need liquor cannot be called anything but a shyster. The
decent doctors of this city are not charging more than the regulation fee of $1
for liquor prescriptions, and will not,’ he added.”2
2 “Local
Doctor Scores Medicos Who Have Raised Fee for Liquor Orders”
Hamilton Herald. October 10, 1918.
An example of how the Hamilton
Board of Health and the Hamilton Medical Society, representing the city’s
physicians, were at odds was the writing and distribution of the following by
the medical society :
“The medical society of Hamilton appeals to
citizens to realize the urgency of preventative measures to combat the present
epidemic.
“A special committee of the association has been appointed to
assist in preventing the spread of the disease, and offers the following
concise statement and warning to the public:
“So-called Spanish ‘flu’ is
a malignant form of grip that raged throughout this continent in 1889-1890, and
that has frequently been present in a milder form since that time.
“The present epidemic is of
a very virulent type and when complications arise is fatal in nearly fifty per
cent of the cases. Recognizing this virulence, the society is solicitous to
confine the disease within the narrowest possible limits.
“It has been the experience
of the members that many of the fatalities might have been avoided had the
patient realized that the early symptoms indicated something more serious than
an ordinary cold.
“Therefore any slight
indisposition at the present time should not be ignored, and as even mild cases
are infectious, contact with other members of the family or with the public
should be avoided.
“It has been demonstrated
that germs from the nose and throat may be carried as far as ten feet by the
act of talking, coughing or sneezing, so the importance of great care cannot be
too strongly emphasized.
“An early and proper
understanding of these facts should be a sufficient warning to all, and if
materially acted upon will materially lessen the dangers of infection.
“Do not place any reliance
on sprays, antiseptics or camphor bags.
“Vaccine has not been used
long enough in this experiment to demonstrate positively that it is a
preventive; but the history of vaccine in other diseases has been such that we
believe, in view of available evidence, its use is justifiable as a preventive
measure. Many medical men are treating themselves and their families with
vaccine, and it is widely used among the nurses.
“The members of the medical
society are distributing among their patients cards containing the following:
(a)
Influenza may begin as a common cold,
therefore, all persons having colds in the head and slight indisposition should
be considered suspects unless otherwise proven, and should not mingle with the
public.
(b)
Remember that this disease is spread by
excretion from the mouth and nose.
(c)
All patients should be masked when attended
to be others.
(d)
All attendants should be properly masked.
(e)
Have masks marked distinctly to distinguish
the outside, and be careful to wear it right side out.
(f)
Disinfect masks frequently by using lysol, by
boiling, or by ironing with a very hot iron.
(g)
Wash hands and face frequently, especially
after attending the sick.
(h)
Keep patient in bed for 48 Hours or longer
after apparent recovery.
(i)
Avoid coughers and sneeezers.
(j)
Impress upon all that this is a serious
epidemic, and persistent precautions are necessary.
HAMILTON MEDICAL SOCIETY”3
3 “Medical Society on Spanish
‘Flu’ : It Has Issued a Statement That All Citizens Should Carefully Read”
Hamilton Herald. October 12, 1918
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