Spanish Influenza 1918 YouTube Presentation
Spanish Flu 1918
A presentation of the Spanish Flu 1918 in Rowan County given by Gretchen Beilfuss Witt and Paul Birkhead
Rowan Public Library
Rowan Public Library's YouTube Channel
1918-1920
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt and Paul Birkhead
The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.
MP4 Video File
Rules Governing Management Flu - Yadkin Valley Herald Clipping
Spanish Flu 1918
Newspaper Clipping:
Rules Governing Management Flu Yadkin Valley Herald, Salisbury NC Nov 22, 1918
Adopted by the Rowan County Board of Health for Parents, Guardians, Householders and Adults Capable of Transmitting the Disease.
The following rules governing the management of the influenza for parents, guardians, householders and adults capable of transmitting the disease has been adopted by the Rowan county board of health under the requirements of Sec. 9, Chapter 62, public laws of 1911, and were prepared by Dr. A.J. Warren, health officer of Rowan county. Pamphlets containing these rules are to be distributed, especially in every home in which influenza appears, and the homes will be placarded.
Rules Governing the Management of Influenza
Rule 1. Every parent, guardian or householder, in the order named, in whose family or household influenza exists shall post securely a placard with the name of the above disease printed thereon in a conspicuous place on the front of his or her home (when living in an apartment house or hotel, on the main entrance to the apartment or room) immediately upon receipt of such placard from the county quarantine officer, or his lawful agent and no one shall remove the said placard until written permission of the attending physician has been obtained.
Rule 2. No parent, guardian or householder. In the order named, in whose family or household influenza exists shall permit any child or minor to attend any public or private school, theater, party, picnic or other public assemblage, or go near a public place while the house is placarded.
Rule 3. No parent, guardian or householder, in the order named, shall permit any child known to have been exposed to a case of influenza to attend any public or private school Sunday school, church meeting, theater, party, picnic or other public assemblage to go near a public place until seven days have elapsed after the time of exposure.
Rule 4. No person who has influenza shall attend any public or private school, Sunday school, church meeting, theater, party picnic or other public assemblage or go near a public place until the written permission of the attending physician has been obtained. So [sic]susceptible person exposed to influenza shall attend nay public or private school, Sunday school, church meeting, theater, party picnic or other public assemblage or go near a public place within seven days of the date of exposure to the disease. This rule does not apply to the physicians rendering professional services to cases of influenza.
Rule 5. At the expiration of the quarantine, the room or rooms occupied by the sick shall be thoroughly ventilated, by opening all the windows and doors for a period of eight hours.
Penalty for Violation (Chapter 62, Public Laws 1911, section 10.)
If any person shall violate the rules and regulations made by the county board of health he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not exceeding $50 or imprisoned not exceeding 30 days.
1. Fresh Air through the open window is essential to a speedy recovery.
2. Milk is the best all-round food for both children and adults.
3. The patient should never cough or sneeze without covering the mouth and nose with a piece of gauze or a handkerchief.
4. Do not use a towel that has been used by the patient.
5. All eating utensils should be boiled at least 10 minutes before being used again.
6. Do not eat portions of food that the sick person has left. They may give you the “flu.” Throw them away.
7. Sleep with your windows open.
8. Wash your hands before eating, and never put your unwashed hands in your mouth.
9. Those who are not yet sick should keep their bowels open. Snuff vaseleine up the nose three times a day. Gargle mouth and throat and rinse out nose and warm salt water, using a level teaspoonful to a glass of warm water. Sleep and eat regularly. These are very important.
10. There is no vaccines or serums for influenza.
11. Don’t waste your money on patent medicines – they are dangerous.
12. DON’T GIVE INFLUENZA TO OTHERS.
Rowan Public Library
1918
The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.
Spanish Flu 1918 with Narrative
Spanish Flu 1918
<p><strong>Rowan County & the 1918 Spanish Influenza</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Slide 1 & 2</strong>. Title & Timeline</p>
<p>At the time of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic, the world was still at war. Soldiers returning from overseas were the first to contract the flu and the virus initially spread through military bases and camps. From September through November 1918, about 20-40 percent of military personnel were sick with flu or pneumonia from flu.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 3. </strong>On Sept. 23, Salisbury papers announced that South Carolina’s Camp Sevier was quarantined. However, many soldiers traveled through the Salisbury train depot on their way home or to their next camp. The Red Cross had a hospitality canteen at the depot, where they provided soldiers with cigarettes, magazines and books to read. </p>
<p><strong>Slide 4. </strong>September 30, there were newspaper reports that two men who had been ill with flu had spent the day at the Salisbury Depot. People were sick in East Spencer and Landis, including the Landis pharmacist.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 5. </strong>The Red Cross hospitality canteen eventually closed in order not to spread influenza.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 6. </strong>The public had taken little notice of Camp Sevier’s quarantine or the few reported flu cases. Generally, focus was still on the war.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 7. </strong>By Oct. 3, Raleigh reported 300 cases, an increase of 103 in just a day. Students at the two schools for the blind and the state college totaled another 265 cases. Raleigh took steps to close down all public gatherings.</p>
<p><strong>Slides 8 & 9. </strong>The Red Cross war effort, including making masks and linens, was still ongoing and easily mobilized an <strong>Influenza Emergency Committee</strong> made up of female volunteers from the canteen, volunteers who nursed the sick and made meals, and the motor corps who transported the meals and the volunteer nurses. Initially, food was prepared for 60-80 people a day, eventually increasing to 130-180 daily. The kitchen was open 10-15 hours a day until November when need decreased.</p>
<p>Although appeals were made to Senator Lee Overman to help provide trained nurses or doctors, only volunteer nursing was available to Rowan at the time. Care was largely provided in Salisbury, though nurses and food were also sent to Spencer and other towns.</p>
<p><strong>Slides 10 & 11. </strong>The Board of Health [there was no Health Department at that time] enacted restrictions according to the mandates from Raleigh. People had to limit contact, close businesses early, open all the trolley car windows, and close schools, churches, theaters, pool halls and other places where people congregated. Federal Court was cancelled. Drug stores and restaurants were allowed to remain open. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>By Oct. 12 the closings of churches, schools, and more affected the entire county. The health officer [Dr. A.J. Warren] and, later, quarantine officers helped monitor. Any household that had flu had to have a placard in the window or at the entrance so people knew not to enter. Coughing or spreading the virus was likened to warfare. </p>
<p>Around the third week of October, the flu peaked and then began to taper off. Households with flu, public assemblies, schools and churches, etc., were still restricted.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 12. </strong>When the war ended on November 11, there was some celebrating and a parade, and a few days later court was held despite Health Officer Warren’s objections.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 13. </strong>Though some restrictions (or at least their enforcement) appeared to ease and some bans were rescinded, on Nov. 21, <em>Rules Governing Management of Flu</em> were published in the newspaper and pamphlets widely distributed. </p>
<p><strong>Slide 14. </strong>By mid-December there was an up-tick in flu cases. Students had returned to school for only a short while before schools were closed again. Other public places were closed, including churches, etc.</p>
<p><strong>Slide 15 – 16. </strong>By December 26, the Board of Health lifted the restrictions, and new cases of influenza were on the decline. However, unnecessary public gatherings were still discouraged, and homes with influenza victims remained under quarantine. </p>
<p><strong>Slide 17. </strong>On January 6, 1919, schools reopened.</p>
<p>Additional Info not included on the slideshow:</p>
<p>A Nov. 26 newspaper listed that</p>
<ul><li>around 5,000 people had died in NC by the end of October</li>
<li>there were 63 total deaths in Rowan</li>
<li>Forsyth & Gaston counties had the most flu cases at 210 each</li>
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<p>Note:</p>
<p>This information was prepared by Paul Birkhead, David Lamanno, Anne Morgan, and Gretchen Witt on April 1, 2020.</p>
Rowan Public Library
2020
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt, Paul Birkhead, David Lamanno, Anne Morgan
The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.
Searchable PDF
Spanish Flu 1918 Narrative
Spanish Flu 1918
A narrative of the Spanish Flu 1918 in Rowan County
Rowan Public LIbrary
2020
Paul Birkhead, David Lamanno, Anne Morgan, Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.
Searchable PDF
Spanish Flu 1918
Spanish Flu 1918
A summary of Rowan County's battle with the Spanish Flu of 1918.
Rowan Public Library
2020
Paul Birkhead, David Lamanno, Anne Morgan, Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.
Searchable PDF