The Spread of the 'Flu, 2nd July 1918

“THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

“ALARMING OUTBREAK IN A CONVENT.

“MORE DEATHS RECORDED.

“The influenza epidemic appears to be spreading with great rapidity. Most of the London hospitals report that they have an unusual number of cases, and some of them have assumed a serious aspect. The majority of London business houses are affected through staffs being depleted.

“An alarming outbreak of the disease at the Convent of Vincent de Paul, Carlisle Place, Westminster, was described at a Lambeth inquest yesterday afternoon [1st July 1918], when the Coroner inquired into the death of one of the inmates, Eleanor Frances O'Donoghue, aged 13. The Mother Superior stated that the girl was taken suddenly ill with headache and sickness on Friday night [28th June 1918]. Two sisters who attended to her were afterwards affected, and since then there had been 62 cases, all the symptoms being alike. The girl died on Saturday morning after complaining of giddiness. Dr. Reginald Jewesbury, pathologist, said in his opinion death was due to gastric influenza. This was the form of Spanish influenza so rampant all over England. The complaint, he said, was very rapid at the outset, very acute in its progress, and quick in disappearing. As a preventive he advised the taking of cinnamon and quinine.

“The Coroner: When ill or before? — Witness: Before — every day. A verdict of “Death from natural causes" was returned.

“NORTH NOTTS.

“In North Notts. there are hundreds of cases.

“DEATHS AT HULL.

“The Hull City Coroner (Col. Alfred Thorney) held inquests yesterday on Kate Denman, aged 11 years, daughter of a labourer, Hodgson-street, and Elsie Barton, aged 9 years, a soldier's daughter. Arthur's-terrace, Courtney-street. Both girls were taken ill on Friday morning, suffering from sickness and headache, and both died on Saturday within 24 hours. After hearing the medical evidence in each case, the jury returned verdicts of “Death from natural causes, the result of influenza followed by pneumonia."

“An inquest was held at Barnsley yesterday regarding the death of Norah Stoddard (15), machinist, George-street, which occurred after a brief illness on Saturday. Dr. Sheridan, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to meningitis, probably following an attack of influenza.

“The Coroner (Mr. P. P. Maitland) said during the last week he had held seven or eight inquests regarding the deaths of young people. In most eases broncho-pneumonia, or something of that sort, had followed influenza. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

“At Sunderland last week there were eight deaths from the disease, and the outbreak is still spreading rapidly. The wife and the father of Air-Mechanic Pepperday, R.A.F., Plantation street, Bacup, have died from the effects the disease whilst the soldier was at home on leave. Other deaths in the district are recorded.

“One of the most prominent ladies in Clitheroe and district, has fallen a victim to influenza in the person of Mrs. Peel (69), wife of Mr. W. Peel, Knowlmere Manor, Newton, near Clitheroe. Taken ill on Friday, she became unconscious, and remained in this condition until her death.

“The first death at Grimsby occurred on Sunday [30t June 1918], the victim being a child, Alfred William Dennis Brookbank, aged 19 months, of 10, Garibaldi-street. Every member of the household had suffered from the complaint.

“ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.

“At yesterday's meeting of the Middlesbrough Education Committee it was reported that 5,000 children and 68 teachers were absent from school owing to influenza. This represented [?] per cent. of the children on the school registers. There are no signs that the epidemic at Rochdale is abating. Well over a thousand persons are suffering from the disease. Three more schools - Derby-street, Brimrod, and Castlemere - were closed yesterday, bringing the number now closed to a dozen. It was stated at a meeting of the Fellowship of the Maple Leaf in London yesterday that a Canadian Choir was unable to be present because the majority of the members were down with the complaint.

“Yesterday the Manchester Tramways Department had no fewer than 300 drivers and conductors off work, and this meant the taking off the normal service of 70 cars. Even in the tramway offices in Piccadilly there is little more than half the staff at work. Salford is also being badly handicapped, the tramways workers with the malady numbering about 100, while cars have had be taken off the different routes. Dr. Niven, the medical officer of health for Manchester, who during last week sent out a notice setting out precautions against the disease, is now laid up with it.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 2nd July 1918.