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The Influenza of 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu, was one of the deadliest pandemics of the 20th century, afflicting around 500 million people. This virus earned its unfortunate misnomer because Spain, a neutral country during World War I, was the only country to report the accurate numbers of casualties from the pandemic. The entire globe suffered from this virus: Spain was the only one who was honest about it.
Before the fall of 1918, the influenza passed just like any other flu: one would have a fever, sneezing, maybe a cough, but it was survivable. Generally, it was only people who had weakened immune systems or older people with health problems who perished due to the virus. After the virus mutated during the fall of 1918, the second wave started. This mutation led to every age group being susceptible to the disease. Typically, people died from fluid buildup in their lungs. About 50 million ultimately died from the Influenza of 1918, which led to funeral homes and cemeteries being overwhelmed.
At the time, doctors and scientists had no way to treat this pandemic. They inoculated animals, and sketched their findings. However, they could not find a cure. Without a cure, scientists and doctors recommended wearing mask, quarantines, and limits on public gatherings. Their recommendations are very similar to what we are experiencing currently. Unlike today, they were also simultaneously experiencing a World War, so these recommendations fell upon limited ears. Countries could not stop producing goods for war, which led to the spread of the disease being even greater because they could not flatten the curve.
References
"1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)." CDC.gov, accessed April 22, 2020.
Roos, Dave. "Why the Second Wave of the 1918 Spanish Flu Was So Deadly." History.com, last modified April 29, 2020.
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Seminarians Unloading Caskets, 1918. Black and white photograph.
Seminarians Unloading Caskets, 1918. Black and white photograph.
This black and white photograph offers a glimpse into the darker side of pandemics: widespread death. It is estimated that as many as 50 million people died of the influenza, overwhelming funeral homes and cemeteries. This photo captures men who are training to become priests burying victims of the virus. They are unloading numerous caskets off a truck to help with the influx of bodies due to the pandemic.
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John George Adami, Drawing of the 1918 Influenza, 1918. Illustration.
John George Adami, Drawing of the 1918 Influenza, 1918. Illustration.
This is a series of scientific drawings and notes about the Influenza. The illustration on the left comes from the liver of an inoculated rabbit who died 16 hours after its inoculation. The center shows a section of a mescuterie gland, while the right shows a lymph sinus, with some of the cells in their protoplasm. These drawings help us visualize how scientists tried to understand and attempt to cure the Influenza.
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Max Loudon, Stewart and Holmes Wholesale Drug Co. Employees on 3rd Ave. (Seattle) during the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic, 1918. Black and white photograph.
Max Loudon, Stewart and Holmes Wholesale Drug Co. Employees on 3rd Ave. (Seattle) during the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic, 1918. Black and white photograph.
With the 1918 flu occurring during the first World War, there was no way for the general population or soldiers to go into a quarantine. Countries needed to stay active in the production of war goods and soldiers remained in close quarters on the frontlines. According to the CDC, the only way governments could attempt to protect their citizens was through promoting “isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings, which were applied unevenly.” Face masks were also popularized during this pandemic throughout both civilian and military life.
Lessons from the Past
Lessons from the Past
Some lessons we can learn from our 1918 ancestors are the importance of quarantines, informing ourselves, and personal hygiene. Most countries did not listen to recommendations by scientists and doctors to quarantine, and they suffered immense losses by choosing not to do so. Of course, in 1918, governments had stifled the voices of scientists and doctors to retain normalcy and continue the production of goods for the war effort. Today, we live in an age of the Internet, but with the Internet comes widespread misinformation. Instead of going to many different and possibly untrustworthy websites, citizens should look up factual information on the CDC’s website. Please wash your hands and wear a face mask when you go outside. We’re all doing our part to flatten the curve, and with our collective effort we can help control this pandemic.
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