Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The Flu, Worse Than War, 1919

“Worse Than War” from the July 4, 1919, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

“War’s Deadlier Rival, the Flu” is the title of an article by Samuel Hopkins Adams in the current number of Collier’s. The total of deaths in the United States from the influenza is more than 500,000, or ten times as many as we lost in battle during the war, and six times as many as the deaths in our army from all causes. The recent influenza epidemic was by far more fatal than any other epidemic that ever visited this country.

In the whole course of the yellow fever plague in New Orleans and the South in 1878 not as many people died as died from influenza in Philadelphia and New York alone in one week. It seems that the epidemic of last winter began in Boston. In six weeks it was in every state of the country. Philadelphia suffered worse than any other large city. The death rate in parts of Pennsylvania was as high as one percent of the population.

Everywhere the greatest fatality was among those in the strongest years of life, and usually among seemingly the most vigorous people. Few above 45 years of age were attacked. It was more deadly for men than women, more deadly for white men two to one than for negroes. Why should these things be? Nobody knows.

The flu spread over the world. Wherever a ship touched, the flu landed and began its deadly work. In one short season it killed more people than lost their lives in all the battles of the war.

What of next winter? Some people say it has run its race and left us immune. Others say that we may expect another attack though not so violent as we have had. If it comes, it will find our nation ready to fight it. The United States Public Health Service is preparing for any emergency.

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