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Children skipped rope to this rhyme; however, the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19 was no fun and games. During this pandemic, approximately twenty to forty million people died worldwide, more than all of the previous wars combined.3 Of the 57,000 Americans that died in World War I, 43,000 died as a result of Spanish influenza, 85% of all service-related deaths.4 The influenza pandemic was estimated to have infected 28% of the United States population, with the mortality rate being 2.5% among the infected, compared to less than .1% in other influenza pandemics.5
Luckily, New Ulm did not get swept with the pandemic as badly as other areas of the United States including Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. The fast action of health officials to close New Ulm and ban all public meetings helped to isolate the virus. New Ulm was lucky; we knew the pandemic was coming and had an opportunity to plan for it, unlike other parts of the United States.
1918 was not the first time an influenza pandemic swept the world. In 1647 and 1889/1890 there were influenza epidemics that started elsewhere in the world and spread to the United States.6 However, none of these previous epidemics matched the intensity of the Flu Pandemic of 1918. Following 1918, influenza viruses have emerged twice since then, in 1957 and 1968.7
The influenza pandemic was given the name Spanish Influenza or the Spanish Lady because at the time of the outbreak, World War 1 was being fought. The nations fighting WW1 had censored reports of influenza among their troops to prevent the enemy from gaining valuable information. Spain was not involved in the war; therefore, it did not have any censorship. The rest of the world first learned about the flu pandemic from Spain, therefore receiving its name.8
In 1918, scientists thought the pandemic was caused by a bacteria, specifically the bacillus (oval) shape. They even tried to come up with a vaccine for the bacteria. We know now that it was caused by a virus. Viruses are very tricky agents. Viruses need to be in an organisms cell in order to reproduce themselves. The only goal of a virus is to reproduce itself and move from an infected host to the next unsuspecting host. The structure of a virus is DNA or RNA with a protein coat surrounding it. DNA viruses are more stable; they are the ones we have vaccines for, including small pox and chicken pox. RNA viruses are the problem. They have the ability to mutate and alter themselves every time they reproduce. A type of viral mutation is called reassortment, where two viruses can exchange genetic material to become a non-recognizable virus. Examples of RNA viruses include AIDS, the common cold, and influenza.
To fight off a RNA virus, the bodys immune system has to start from the beginning, taking 7-10 days to boost the immune system enough to fight the infectious virus. Once in the body, the influenza virus can take on a serious form by causing secondary illnesses like acute pneumonia (either viral or bacterial) which has the ability to kill within 2 days. No medicine will kill viruses in your body, getting better is purely reliant on your immune system. A RNA virus is the likely agent of the flu pandemic of 1918.9 Unfortunately, the human population had no immunity to the flu virus of 1918.
Where did this influenza virus come from? One theory by Jeffrey K. Taubenberger states the idea that the virus came from birds, the viral RNA reassorted, crossed over into pigs, and then ended up in a final host, humans.10
Influenzas first outbreak in the United States was believed to be in March of 1918 at Fort Riley, an army camp in Kansas. Soldiers burnt tons of manure releasing pathogens and unfortunately, a wind storm picked up. After two days of breathing in this smog, one solider reported to the camp hospital, then another, and by noon over 100 cases of flu were reported. Within a week, there were 500 cases of the flu, and 48 cases resulted in death from pneumonia.11 The illness seemedto have subsided, and the American troops proceeded to Europe that spring and summer in crowded ships. This first wave of influenza seemed to have ended in the summer months.
In the summer of 1918, the influenza did what it does best, it mutated into its deadly form in Europe. The virus was then carried back to the United States when soldiers returned from overseas to create the second wave, mainly lasting from September to November. This second wave was worse than anyone could have imagined. Americans fears were focused on the war being fought in Europe, and Americans felt they were safe at home.12 Oblivious to the killer virus, the inhabitants of the eastern cities of the United States carried on as usual including Boston, Massachusetts. Crowds gathered to cheer on the Red Sox in the World Series, for a welcoming home parade, and a building dedication. The first civilian seriously ill was admitted to Boston City Hospital September 3, 1918. By the middle of September, there were 3,000 cases of influenza in Boston, and by September 18, there were 40 deaths within 24 hours. By October 16, more than 3,700 people died in Boston.13
This Influenza virus was was not common. A common flu bug causes a high fever, headache, muscular pains, a sore throat, a hacking cough, and weakness. Labored breathing, lung crackling sounds, coughing up blood, nosebleeds, delirium, sleeplessness, and a blue cast to the skin were the the symptoms of the killer virus. The killer virus was categorized into three groups by Boston doctors. The first group included those people who had a mild case of the flu, and were thought to be better, but two to four days later, they had a dramatic rise in temperature caused by pneumonia, and death occurred. The second group were people who had a severe case of the flu, had some lung complications, and then recovered with immunity. The third group were those that had a very severe case of the flu where breathing was difficult; cyanosis (a blue tint to the skin caused by the lack of oxygen to tissues) occurred from the lungs filling up with fluid. Like sponges, the air spaces of the victims lungs filled with fluid, causing the victims to turn blue from the lack of oxygen, and sometimes to drown in their own secretions Death occurred within 36 to 48 hours.14
The virus continued to move through populated areas on the east coast, including New York and Philadelphia. It seemed to move westward following the railroad tracks. By October 5, 1918, the flu pandemic reached Minnesota.
Part 2
A timeline of The 1918 Flu Pandemic and Its Effect on New Ulm
October 5, 1918
Many cases of influenza were found in the Twin Cities, including 150 in Minneapolis, and it was also prevalent in St. Paul. At Fort Snelling, Provost Marshall General Crowder gave an order to cancel training for draftees during a five day period beginning on October 7. Brown County held back 25 men, and they were not to report until further notice.15 The State University opening had been postponed until October 9 from the original opening date of October 2. It was reported at this time that 10% of influenza cases developed into pneumonia.16
October 14, 1918
On this date, there was a city council meeting where Dr. Joseph H. Vogel, the New Ulm Health officer, requested the banning of all public meetings. The City Council unanimously approved. The public meetings/gatherings that were banned indefinitely included all schools, churches, theaters, bowling alleys, etc.. Dr. J.H. Vogel had sent for a serum that was being used in Mankato to prevent flu illnesses. The serum was a product of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.17 Dr. J.H. Vogel went to Rush Medical College in Chicago, graduated in 1903, and returned to his home to New Ulm to practice medicine. Dr. Louis A. Fritsche, described Dr. Vogel as being a modern, up to date physician, well versed in all the latest lore of his profession and takes an active interest in the affairs of the Brown County Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Not long after entering his practice in New Ulm, he was appointed health officer and for several years served very efficiently in that important office.18
October 15, 1918
Notices were delivered and posted around town to inform the people of New Ulm that public meetings were banned.
The notices read:Notice
To the Board of Education; the Proprietors of Theatres and Moving Picture Houses; the Proprietors of Dance Halls and Bowling Alleys; to all Lodges and Societies; to All churches; to All Public and Private Assemblages:
Within the past few days, a number of cases of Spanish influenza have appeared in this city, and the disease appears to be spreading quite rapidly. It became apparent that unless measures were taken to prevent the spreading of this disease, we would have to look forward to quite an epidemic in this city. In view of this situation, the Board of Health of this city has decided that the best interests of this city and community, for the time being, require the closing of all school, theatres and moving picture houses, dance halls and bowling alleys, lodges and societies and churches and all other places where people congregate or assemble, and an order to that effect was, therefore, made by the Board of Health.
Until further notice, you will, therefore, kindly comply with this order of the Board of Health.
J.H. Vogel
Health Officer
By order of the Board of Health, New Ulm, Minnesota
October 15, 191819
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New Ulm was not the only community to ban public meetings; other cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Mankato, Fairmont, Redwood Falls, Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Comfrey, Martin County, and Home Township also had this ban in place. By October 21, 1918, the Minnesota State Safety Commission banned public meetings throughout the state. This did not include schools, churches, or theatres, which were placed under local control. The Red Cross was given the approval to use funds in order to alleviate the pain and suffering among flu victims.20October 26, 1918
Uncle Sam gave some advice on the flu in the Brown County Journal. The first symptoms of this influenza were chills, fever (100-104 degrees fahrenheit), headache, redness of eyes, pain in the back, eyes, ears, weakness, dizziness, and a discharge from the nose that resembles a very contagious cold. These symptoms engulfed a person very quickly. If you were struck with these symptoms, the advice to you would be to avoid crowds, rest until your fever is gone, and suppress sneezing. Hopefully within 3-4 days, your symptoms would disappear. Some people developed pneumonia, meningitis, and/or ear infections.21
As a caretaker, your job would be to not sleep in the same room as the ill person, burn the eye, ear,and nose discharge tissues, wear wrappers, aprons, or gowns over your house clothes when in the sick room, and wear a face mask that covered the nose. To prevent illness, the advice was given to get fresh air, keep your body strong with proper rest and nutrition, avoid being around coughing people, keep out of crowds, and keep your home well ventilated to avoid a stuffy environment where germs might be transmitted.22
Dr. J.H. Vogel states there were 105 cases of influenza in New Ulm, and only a few are considered to be severe. More cases were found to be in the surrounding rural areas rather than in the town of New Ulm.23
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