The Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 was "the mother of all pandemics" according to Dr. Jeffery K. Taubenberger and Dr. David M. Morens of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and National Institutes of Health. An estimated 675,000 Americans and 50 million died, worldwide — more than the total causalities of WW I.

The outbreak began in the United States in the spring of 1918 with only a few cases reported, "On March 30, 1918, the occurrence of eighteen cases of influenza of severe type, from which three deaths resulted was reported at Haskell, Kansas.” (Public Health Reports, March, 1918).

Over the following six months the number of cases increased and the outbreak became an "epidemic" and "pandemic" by September. The Los Angeles Times reported on September 18, "Surgeon-General (Rupert) Blue of the public health service has made a telegraphic survey to determine the extent of the Spanish influenza in the United States. 'The disease is characterized by a sudden onset,' said Dr. Blue to the Associated Press, 'People are stricken on the streets, while at work in the factories, shipyards, offices or elsewhere.' "

The Times article quoted Dr. Blue as advising, "Treatment under the direction of the physician is simple, but important, consisting principally of rest in bed, fresh air, abundant food, with Dover's powder for the relief of pain. Every case with fever should be regarded as serous and kept in bed at least until temperature becomes normal."

Viruses were unknown in 1918. Dr. Blue attributed the disease, according to the Associated Press, as "the bacillus influenza of Pfeiffer." Methods of control, outlined by Dr. Blue were much the same then as today, "Isolation-bed isolation of the infected individuals during the course of the disease; Terminal disinfection-through cleansing, airing and sunning."

Many victims of the outbreak were in the military. According to an Associated Press story on September 24, 96 men had died at Camp Dix and 50 sailors, 8 marines and 83 civilians were hospitalized in New York City. "Nearly 2000 new cases of Spanish influenza in army camps had been reported to the office of the Surgeon-General of the army today, increasing the total number of cases to nearly 23,000."

The following day the Times reported in an Associated Press story, "FIVE THOUSAND GET INFLUENZA. Nearly Thirty Thousand Cases is Total Reported. Epidemic Appears in Twenty six States. Disease Reaches Coast in Few Isolated Cases."

"Surgeon-General Rupert Blue of the public health service said that latest reports showed that the malady made its appearance in twenty-six States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The disease is epidemic in New England, where it first made its appearance. Influenza has appeared on the Pacific Coast, in Washington and California, but is not yet epidemic there."

A Times headline from Oct. 11, 1918 announces the mobilization of doctors.

But the West was not spared. "Mobilization of all the doctors in California, Nevada and Arizona to combat epidemics of Spanish influenza was ordered today (October 10) by the United States public health service, it was announced here by Dr. W. C. Billings, sanitary officer of the service for California and Nevada. The public was warned by Dr. Billings to avoid picture shows, churches and all other places of assemblage until the epidemic has passed."

According to the article, 1000 cases were reported that day in California. Los Angeles had 86, Riverside, 160 and San Francisco, 226.

Four days later, a Times story tried to quell residents' fears. "There is nothing in the so-called epidemic of influenza in Los Angeles to warrant any scare, any apprehension or any interruption of business or the ordinary transactions of life."

Los Angeles' young film industry was also affected by the epidemic. The Times reported, "Triangle studio has closed for a month, and so has the Sennett studio. No orders have yet been issued from headquarters to the Fox, Ince, Vitagraph and Metro studios. At the Lasky studio, where several companies are working at present, Cecil de Mille and Norma Talmadge commenced work on new pictures last week, and Vivian Martin and Ethel Clayton are to start on new pictures today."

Impervious to the Times' public hand holding, the number of cases continued to increase in California. "The total number of cases of Spanish influenza reported in California since October 1 was increased to 17,000 today (October 17) by reports of 4000 additional cases. A proposal to close all the moving-picture theatres, churches and other places of public assemblage in the state not subject to medical inspection, during the Spanish influenza epidemic period, is to be considered at a special meeting of the Board of Health here tomorrow."

As the deadly Spanish influenza spread, the tiny population of remote Cerro Gordo in Inyo County was not to be spared. The disease quickly moved west touching nearly everyone in its path by the fall of 1918.  Correspondence began pouring in and out of Cerro Gordo with concerns, as California was hit by the deadly bug.

J. Wilson Reno was the purchasing agent for Cerro Gordo Mines and operated out of San Francisco.

The Mojave Desert mining town of Randsburg did not escape the epidemic either. James Quinn, a miner from Atolia, became ill on October 18. By order of Judge Maginnis, he was taken to a "pesthouse" for isolation where he died October 22. E. E. Niehaus, 26 and his wife, Edith, 21, died the following day. The town physician, a Dr. Maxwell, was reportedly exhausted from two weeks of overwork and was taken to Bakersfield to recuperate. The flu outbreak was taken very seriously in the Rand mining towns; all the bars voluntarily closed their doors.

Back in Owens Valley, more people were falling victim to the flu.

By November, the total number of cases in California was reported to be 100,000, but the epidemic had began to subside according to a Times story, "The Spanish influenza epidemic has begun to subside, officials of the State Board of Health said today. There has been a material falling off in the number of new cases reported."

The disease did not begin to disappear from California until the summer of 1919, according to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Many flu remedies and patent medicines were sold. Professor Robert C. Wilson, "head of the department of pharmacy of one of the leading educational institutions of the country," according to a Times story on November 20, 1918, invented a new preventative treatment "composted of the most powerful antiseptics and germicides known to science." The product was called Wilson's Solution or Anti-Flu. A bottle good for a week's treatment sold for 35 cents. Users were instructed to sprinkle a few drops on a handkerchief and "inhale at frequent intervals during the day, especially when entering crowds or public places."

Hill's Cascara Quinine was a frequent Times advertiser in 1918.

A Times' story touts the benefits of Dr. Wilson's treatment in Nov. 1918.

Kerosene mixed with sugar or turpentine with honey were a common folk remedies for sore throat during this time period. Turpentine was also mixed with lard and rubbed on the chest, then covered with a flannel cloth that helped to "drive the medicine right into the lungs."

Mining camps such as Goldfield, and Tonopah, Nevada, hit hard by the epidemic, resorted to local remedies such as Indian root and sagebrush tree. Tonics of hyssop, dittany, Peruvian bark, orange peel, anise, coriander seed, gentian, yarrow, nutmeg, thyme, rose leaves and port wine were concocted and drank by the glassful.

Whiskey was also a popular prescription and more than likely readily available in any isolated mining camp during the time period.  Liquid Sozodont, Men-Tho-Eze, Lysol disinfectant, Vicks Vapo Rub,  Hyorlick's Malted Milk, and the Hyhomel Inhaler were also touted as good flu preventatives and germ destroyers.

The Oakland Tribune  reported good news about the epidemic, Nov. 3, 1918 (above). The Times ran an ad for Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Purgative Pellets in January, 1919. Things were looking better when people again had time to worry about their bowel functions (below).

Bibliography

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