The Influenza Epidemic in Halifax

From the Halifax Courier, November 2nd, 1918.

INFLUENZA.

Grave concern is being aroused throughout the country— and, indeed, in India, America, the Continent, and countries far and near—by the persistence and danger of the influenza epidemic.  In this district there is greater freedom from its ravages than in many places, and no drastic steps have yet been necessary to safeguard the public health by the general closing of schools and institutions where people meet in large numbers.  But there is every reason for care; during the week cases have become more numerous, and some very pitiable instances have occurred of families being stricken.  Government authorities are handling the matter in the hope that research will throw light upon the cause and the remedy, both of which seem very much in doubt.  The actual influenza is very like other visitations, but the secondary infections are of a more acute character than usual.  They are pneumococci and streptococci—terms which are not illuminating to most people but which being interpreted mean septic pneumonia—an affection of the lungs which is drastic and rapid in its action.  There is the official assurance that the food rations are not considered a direct cause of, the spread of the disease.  That is satisfactory, but it is mere common sense to say that the restricted diet and “war strain” (in all its forms of anxiety and overwork) must contribute to a lower vitality and that a condition is created in which influenza flourishes.  The moral is that each individual has a responsibility—not only for himself or herself, but for the community.  Where influenza exists the utmost care should be taken to limit infection; where there are “ordinary” colds, and especially if any temperature accompanies them, bed is the best place (many have caused havoc to themselves and others by struggling on with their work when obviously unfitted for it); and where there is no illness it can most surely be avoided by most careful attention to personal health, embracing cleanliness (not forgetting the frequent cleansing of the throat), adequate rest and plenty of fresh air.

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SPREAD OF INFLUENZA.

600 HALIFAX SCHOOL CHILDREN AFFECTED.

During the week influenza has spread rapidly in Halifax and several cases of pneumonia have resulted.  Some of these have proved fatal, the most distressing case recorded locally being from Primrose-street, Claremount, where Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth and three children have all died.  Two children were buried last Saturday, the father and mother were buried on Wednesday, and the youngest child, aged four months, died on Thursday.  In several instances, where there was no one at home to look after the afflicted, the patients have been removed to the Gibbet-street hospital, where they have received every attention.  From Southowram Bank, a father, mother and child were attacked, and there have been cases in all parts of the town.  A man who lived by himself was suffering from influenza for two days before he could obtain assistance, and then it was too late.  Pneumonia had developed and he died yesterday.

It is estimated that about 600 school children in Halifax are suffering from the “flu,” and Portland-road School has been closed until Monday week.  In the case of the other schools the scholars will assemble as usual, but instead of going into the school buildings they will be given exercise in the open air.  Offices and mills are more or less affected by it, but it has not spread to the same extent as the epidemic of a few months ago.  The present disease, if not checked at the beginning, attacks the lungs with great severity.  It is therefore important that early symptoms—generally cold in the head and sore throat—should not be neglected.

[This seems a more realistic view of the influenza epidemic than that in the previous post.]