Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
In the city of New York the epidemic first appeared September 18. Up to
and including December 27 there were reported to the Department of
Health 136,061 cases of influenza and 21,388 cases of pneumonia. The
number of deaths since September 18 was 11,725 attributed to influenza
in the death certificates filed in the Health Department and 11,601
attributed to pneumonia. The epidemic reached its peak during the week
of October 19, slowly subsided and was practically at an end on November
9. While the epidemic is reported as ending on this date, the mortality
rate from influenza and pneumonia is still very much above normal. No
particular features concerning the meteorological conditions were noted,
except that in this city the weather was clear and delightful during the
months of September and October when the epidemic was rampant.
In the city of Philadelphia on July 22 the Health Department issued its
first health bulletin on so-called Spanish influenza, announcing the
possible spread of this disease into the United States. On September 18
a warning was issued against an epidemic, the department starting a
public campaign against coughing, sneezing and spitting. On September 21
the Bureau of Health made influenza a reportable disease. At this time
the authorities stated an epidemic of influenza was recognized as
existing among the civil population of similar type to that found in the
naval stations and cantonments; that a large percentage of cases was
accompanied by pneumonia; that patients should be isolated and
attendants wear masks; that isolation be practiced for a period of ten
days after recovery to prevent carriers; that patients be guarded
against relapse and that the public be cautioned against large
assemblages and crowded places, as well as to avoid coughing, sneezing
and spitting. On October 3 the churches, saloons and theatres were
closed, funerals were made private and food handlers were required to
protect their wares. The number of cases reported from September 23 to
November 8 was 48,131, but the Bureau states, from a rough estimate, the
number of cases was probably 150,000. The total number of deaths
reported was 7,915 from influenza and 4,772 from pneumonia in all its
forms, the presumption being that the deaths during this period were due
to influenzal pneumonia. The weather condition during this time is
recorded as mild and fair.
The influenza cases began to be reported in Cleveland on October 5, and
up to December 20, 22,703 cases had been recorded. Certificates
recording deaths due to influenza alone numbered 2,497, while pneumonia
amounted to 833. The epidemic was at its height in the latter half of
October and the weather was spoken of as pleasant fall weather. During
the week of October 26 the epidemic reached its greatest height, abated
in the week ending November 23, increased later, but showed a drop for
the week ending December 21.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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