Research Papers

Research Papers

Today is:

                                      Spanish Influenza

1. Where it came from and when

    Appeared in Spain in May 1918 and spread over Europe
        Came into the United States via ships in September

    Worst outbreaks were on military bases –
        (probably because so many people were living in small areas)
        Epidemic caused Great Lakes navel training base athletics to stop.
            Final baseball series cancelled.
            Football practice was curtailed but team made trip to Iowa City to play Iowa U

    Also in large east coast cities and then moved west across the nation

2. La Grippe – a little history about the flu

    Called “the grip” from 1775 through the 1800’s
    Name changed to “influenza” after the turn of the century –gradually shortened to “flu”

    Epidemics date back almost 2000 years
    Five waves in US from 1831 to 1888-9 when it came from France
    Last one before the Spanish Influenza

3. How Kearney was affected

    September 30 -First case reported in Kearney

    Mid-October - Rumors that city is under quarantine are false.
         “There are cases of Spanish influenza in Kearney, much the same as in every city, town, and hamlet in the country.” “…there were but two deaths in the city, during the past week….”

    October 22, 1918 – All of Nebraska Under Quarantine Against the “Flu”
        All schools – city and country – closed.
        Also theater, churches, lodge & society meetings, all public gatherings
        Quarantine to last until Sunday, November 2.

    October 24 – 15 new cases reported. “The disease seems to be on the wane here.”

    Two days later – Influenza is Under Control
        No New Cases Nor Deaths In the Past Two Days [in Kearney]

4. “How to keep from getting the influenza”

[List published in Kearney Hub, Oct. 9, l918, p. 2]
                                                          The Spanish Influenza
                                         How to Keep From Getting the Influenza
(By the National Conference of Army Navy and Civilian Doctors.)
1--Avoid c ontact with other people so far as possible. Especially avoid crowds and places of public assembly.
2--Avoid persons suffering from colds and sore throats and coughs.
3--Avoid chilling of the body or living in rooms of temperatures below 65 degrees or above 72.
4--Sleep and work in clean fresh air.
5--Keep your hands clean and keep them out of your mouth.
6--Avoid exporating in public places and see that others do likewise.     [Don't spit]
7--Avoid visiting the sick.
8--Eat plain, nourishing food and avoid alcoholic stimmuulants.
9--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.
        [This was before facial tissues]
10--Don't worry, and keep your feet warm. Wet feet demand prompt attention.
      Wet clothes are dangerous and must be removed as soon as possible.

5. A medication to help keep from getting pneumonia –

    No cure for influenza, just time
    Most deaths resulted from pneumonia after flu was over

    Keep air passages in head and chest clear to prevent pneumonia

    Use Vicks VapoRub

    Rub the salve on chest, cover with warm piece of flannel
    Place spoon of salve in teapot of hot water, keep hot enough to make steam

    VapoRub – discovered by a North Carolina druggist who made a salve by combining Menthol and Camphor
        with oils of Eucalyptus, Thyme, Cubeba, etc.

        [cubeba - dried unripe berry of a tropical shrub of the pepper family that is used as a spice]

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Revised: 01/29/2018