“Although there are signs that the worst of
the influenza epidemic has been passed, there were 79 more cases reported to
the board of health during the past 24 hours. However, a large number of these
were old cases which had just been reported. Today’s list of fatalities shows
seven deaths. A general consensus from the province indicates an abatement of
the disease.”
Hamilton Spectator. October 24, 1918
Hamilton’s beleaguered
medical health officer had some positive news regarding a request that he had
made to workers commuting between their homes and places of employment :
“The request of Dr. Roberts, that employees
who do not live more than a mile or two from their work to walk to it, instead
of using the streetcars, has already borne fruit. Many followed his advice
today, and it is believed that ‘walk to your work’ will be a popular slogan
which the epidemic is on.
“In this way, congestion in
street railway traffic can be relieved, and the danger of spreading the
contagion can be greatly reduced. Street cars are among the greatest breeders
of disease germs
“Walk to your work and
combat the scourge.”1
1 “More Evidence That Epidemic is Dying Out : 79
Cases Reported, But Many of Them Were Old :”
Hamilton Spectator. October 24, 1918.
For those living too far
from their work, and who had to use the street car system, the Herald offered
the following:
“The crowding of street cars, at time when
working tickets can be used, is a feature of the closing order which is
objected by residents. Many complaints have been made. The medical health
officer stated this morning that it was impossible for him to issue an order
prohibiting the overcrowding of conveyances. He stated that the city of Toronto
has been fighting the railway company through all the courts, and had not yet
gained a verdict. He also stated that it would co-operate to any extent with
the health officials. “
“George Waller, general manager of the street
railway, when spoken to this morning, said that his company had not received a
request, or yet an order from the board of health to stop crowding on the cars.
“ ‘Would you atop the
crowding if asked to do so’ he was asked.
“ ‘ I cannot say,’ he
replied. ‘The company would give the matter serious consideration. The health
officials have been notified that we would co-operate with them The only way
crowding could be stopped would be to close the doors when the cars became
filled and not allow any more people on.’ ”2
2“More
Deaths From the ‘Flu’ Reported Today : There is Still Much of It in City, But
It is Said to Be Abating ; Many Pathetic Cases and Great Need of More Nurses.”
Hamilton Herald. October 24, 1918.
The members of the board of
health and Dr. Roberts had a full agenda when they met on October 24, 1918 :
“This morning the board of health
held a meeting at which several important matters were under consideration. One
of them came in the form of a letter from Bishop Clarke, on behalf of the
Anglican clergy of the city, asking for a modification of the official
proclamation so that religious gatherings of 25 or less might be permitted. The
board gave this matter serious attention, but it was decided that in the
interests of public health, the terms of the proclamation would have to be
strictly adhered to in this regard.
“The bishop’s letter follows
:
October
22, 1918
“To the Members of the Board
of Health, Hamilton, Ont.
Gentlemen : A week ago I
called together the Anglican clergy in active service in this city to the
number of twenty, to consider how we could best support the board of health in
their strenuous efforts to reduce the ravages of the pestilence which has come
upon our city, and how we could afford the devout members of our church
opportunities to meet for united prayer and intercession to Almighty God to
avert the scourge.
We all felt that it could
not be eradicated by mere physical remedies, the cause and the cure being as
yet beyond the comprehension of our ablest medical men.
We recognize that the Author
of national sufferings has righteous reason for His dispensations, though
mysterious to us. We believe, however, that by uniting together in humiliation
before Him, and fervently imploring him to avert the calamity, that His
merciful interposition may be expected.
I cannot tell you, gentlemen
what disappointment it gave me on hearing of your decision.
I am advised that you
studiously omitted from your ‘proclamation’ the limited permission approved of
by the medical health officer, viz. that churches remain open for private
prayer and for services of intercession, provided that not more than
twenty-five persons are allowed to assemble at one time, and you ordered in pace
thereof that every house of God in the city should be hermetically sealed until
further notice.
At the same time, I
understand, you gave permission to all industrial, commercial and business
institutions, in which in many cases large numbers are congregated and the
length of service is from eight to ten hours a day, to continue as heretofore.
You have also promised to
permit meetings to be held to promote Victory Loans etc.
From a medical standpoint
your ‘proclamation’ will avail but little. From a religious standpoint, we feel
that you may more than wounded the feelings of hundreds of our citizens
In this land of religious
freedom, the feelings and wishes, even of a minority of the people, should be
seriously considered.
May I express the hope that
the decision you arrived at is not final, but that you may, on further thought,
reconsider your action with regard to church services, and grant that before
next Sunday some measure of relief may be given to those who feel very keenly
in this matter. Believe me.
Very faithfully yours,
WILLIAM NIAGARA”
“Another letter from Dr.
Duvall, the local chiropractor, offering his assistance, was read, and this
will likewise receive further consideration from the board.
“The newly-organized local
branch of the Ontario Voluntary Emergency Health auxiliary, with Controller
Jutten as president, and Mrs. Harry Carpenter, as vice-president, completed
arrangements for co-operation with the board of health. The board agreed to
meet necessary expenses, if properly vouched for by the board.”1
Two short items kept all
informed on two ongoing matters of interest in the epidemic fight:
“There will be a meeting tonight at the
Y.W.C.A. at 8 o’clock for women who are willing to volunteer their services as
nurses. A lecture will be given by a doctor and a practical demonstration in
the care of ‘flu’ patients by a nurse. So far 60 women have offered their
services and are now engaged in their mission of mercy. One hundred more women
volunteers – women in good health, who will make this sacrifice for the
suffering ones - are needed. They should apply at the Y.W.C.A.
“The Canadian Patriotic
fund’s relief hospital is now practically filled, and in view of the difficulty
of obtaining further nursing assistance, the accommodation will not likely be
increased, unless matters become more serious.
“Admittance will be
available, of course, from time to time, as patients recover and are
discharged. All of the patients are doing well under the careful treatment of
their physicians and the care of the competent nurses and assistants who are
giving their services to this patriotic effort in the present epidemic.”1
It seems that there was an
overwhelming number of sad situations resulting from the flu :
“Spanish influenza has hit
many families especially hard, and more than one local doctor could tell tales
of extreme sufferings among his patients. One of the most unfortunate cases yet
heard of was that of a family residing on the mountain, where ten children were
all ill with the disease, and the mother, worn out with nursing her little
ones, also fell a victim. A V.A.D. nurse, who was finally secured to care for
the sufferers, contracted the disease too, making her the twelfth in this one
house.
“Another instance which was
related by a local physician concerned a family residing near the Jockey club.
Called to the house, he found a small child sick of the ‘flu’ and on returning
in the evening to ascertain its condition, could not gain access to the house.
Suspecting from certain circumstances that all was not well, the anxious medico
clambered in by way of a window, only to find the mother of the child had
become ill, and was walking distractedly about the house in delirium.” 1
A particularly sad, if odd,
incident in the flu epidemic was reported in the Hamilton Herald:
“W. Lees, of Crompton & Crompton, real
estate dealers, had a rather unpleasant experience last night, when he was
showing a foreigner through a house at 136 Frederick avenue. The foreigner was
looking it over before buying it, and the house was occupied. Mr. Lees opened
one of the bedroom doors to let the man have a peep at the interior and was
startled to find a man dead on the bed. He promptly asked the occupant of the
house if he knew that there was a dead man upstairs. He replied : ‘Sure, he’sa
bin there some time
“At that Mr. Lees notified
the police who soon arrived in the patrol wagon.
“On investigation it was
found that the man had died about two hours before, and the undertaker had been
notified. He died from an attack of the ‘flu.’ There will not be an inquest.”2
2 “Died
of Influenza : Man Who Was Looking for a House Startled to Find Corpse”
Hamilton Spectator. October 24, 1918.
Finally, the Hamilton
Herald, as did its competitors, fired off a series of short items on the
epidemic:
“Hallowe’en this year will
be one celebrated without the use of false faces. The M.H.O. has put a ban on
the use of them. It is stated that this is necessary in the interests of public
health.
“The M.H.O., in speaking of
the general situation, stated that he thought it improved today, and that it
would not be very long before it was wiped out in this city. Dr. Mullin is
quoted as saying that the epidemic would be wiped out in a week if all resorted
to the use of masks.
“Restaurant keeper and hotel
men have begun to feel the effect of the ‘flu.’ Many of them, it is stated are
doing less than half the business they formerly did. The street railway cannot
see how the cars can be crowded when business is cut more than half. According
to figures the line is being operated on a close margin, if not at a loss. The
business of last Sunday fell far below half of that done the Sunday before. All
branches of trade have suffered owing to the plague.
“If help is urgently
needed in the house, if there is a
shortage of food or fuel, call up emergency health nurses, Regent 130. Act
promptly. Relief will be sent as soon as possible. The emergency health nurses
are acting for the medical health officer. Make a note of the number. Regent
130, S.O.S., Sisters of Service.
“The small staff of nurses
employed by the board of health on outside nursing reports many pathetic cases.
One nurse yesterday reported a case on Bay street, that was truly sad. The
located, almost located in an alley, had no sewer, and with the entire family
stricken down is in a filthy condition. The mother and wife was almost dying,
and a small son was in a horrible condition. The neighbors had been kind enough
to send in nourishing food, but had done nothing to make the sick comfortable.
The food had been placed in the hall, and the people inside were so sick that
they could not get it.
“A distressing case was brought to the
attention of Secretary Almond, local patriotic office, early this morning. Mrs.
Taylor and her ten children, the oldest being a daughter 17 years old, residing
on East 24th street, Mount Hamilton, had been discovered all
stricken with the disease. Three of the youngsters were in serious condition,
so Mr. Arnold immediately arranged for their removal to the Patriotic fund hospital,
south James street. In the meanwhile, Miss Cook, daughter of Otto W. Cook,
Pasenda Apartments and Miss McIlwraith, two voluntary nurses are in attendance
at the Taylor home bestowing every attention to the mother and children.
Besides the husband and father serving with the colors ‘over there,’ a son Pte.
Taylor is also ‘carrying on’ overseas. Mr. Taylor, jr., left here with the 129th
battalion.
“Following several complaints from local
physicians and others against expectorating in public places, Dr. James
Roberts, M.H.O., has informed east end manufacturing concerns that precautions
must be taken against this dangerous practice. As an aid to ‘flu’ this practice
is said by several to be on a par with sneezing and congregating in crowds in
theaters and dance halls. The health authorities have decided that it must
cease and while a war against it is being made in factories, it is suggested by
the M.H.O. that the police enforce the regulation on the streets.”3
3“More
Deaths From the ‘Flu’ Reported Today : There is Still Much of It in City, But
It is Said to Be Abating ; Many Pathetic Cases and Great Need of More Nurses.”
Hamilton Herald. October 24, 1918.
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