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]