QUEUING FOR QUININE: THE YEAR WHEN GRIMSBY WAS HIT BY SPANISH FLU

 

Below is a contemporary newspaper report of  how Grimsby and Hull were hit by Spanish Flu in the summer of 1918.

The influenza epidemic is raging at Grimsby, and scores of persons are under treatment.

The outbreak is particularly bad in the West Marsh and Little Coates districts, and yesterday there were several instances in which workmen who had been suddenly attacked had collapsed and had to be removed. 

In one important factory, the management adopted the precaution of treating the workpeople at intervals with quinine. 

The remarkable spectacle of people lined up outside a chemist's shop awaiting their turn to be served with ammoniated quinine, eucalyptus oil, sweet nitre and Turkey rhubarb and other reputed remedies was seen on Wednesday night in this district. 

Meanwhile, Spanish influenza has also invaded Hull and seems to be prevalent. 

A policeman was found at 3am this morning laid down in the middle of Woodcock Street where he had collapsed as a result of flu. 

He is progressing. 

The first death from the disease was reported last night. 

An Indian seaman named Nomezulla arrived in Hull a few days ago and immediately contracted a disease which Dr Thomson states was Spanish influenza. 

He died on board the vessel. 

The Coroner, Colonel Thorney, held an inquest this afternoon, and stated there were certain men on the steamer suffering from what was known as Spanish influenza. 

Dr Thomson said he had been attending some of the crew for influenza. Death was due to ensuing bronchial pneumonia. 

Most of the crew had suffered from influenza, and the pneumonia probably followed. 

The Coroner asked the doctor if he had obtained good results from his treatment. 

Witness replied "yes," and that the ordinary treatment for influenza answered well. 

The serang on the ship said all the crew were well when the ship arrived, and, since June 27, the crew had sickened. 

Deceased had been ill for about a week. 

The jury found that death was due to bronchial pneumonia, probably consequent on influenza. 

A number of employees in important works and on office staffs are off work through having contracted the germ. 

Several members of the Hull police force are off duty from the same cause. 

Women workers in offices and works have also been affected, and, in some cases, it had been found necessary to send them home in cabs. 

The prevalence of the infection is unfortunate at a time when there is a lack of doctors, but patients can facilitate their recovery by going to bed at once and keeping thoroughly warmed. 

Dr Riley, director of education, stated that, there was no report of unusual absences through influenza the schools, though there were a great many absences in consequence of measles. 

A well-known East Hull doctor said they had 120 patients last Monday and an average of 100 a day since. 

He did not regard the form of influenza prevalent in Hull as serious. 

"A few fine days, and it should ail cleared away," he said. "There are hardly any cases showing a rise in temperature." 

Patients complain of pains and sore throats, but there can be complications. 

However, the epidemic, though sharp, should be short. 

Young women who are working hard at munition factories and elsewhere still wear pneumonia blouses and get ill in such weather as that of last week. 

Men working long hours and night, also get a chill. 

However, they will find any rest to be beneficial. 

Another doctor also said he did not regard the outbreak in Hull as serious. 

Many people had the matter in their mind and were under the impression they were suffering from influenza. 

A few anti-febrin tablets and keeping warm would generally effect a cure in a few days. 

The influenza epidemic has become so serious in Manchester that James Niven, the medical officer, has issued a public notice giving the precautions to be taken:

1. The sick should separated from the healthy. This is especially important m the case of first attacks in a household, factory, or workshop.

2. Persons affected by influenza should at once seek rest, warmth, and medical treatment.

3. Discharges from the nose and mouth should not allowed to get dry on pocket handkerchief or inside the house or workshop.

4. Infected articles and rooms should be cleansed and disinfected.

5. Those attacked should not join assemblages of people for at least ten days from the commencement of attack.

6. Special attention should be paid to cleanliness and ventilation. People should wear warm clothing and avoid unnecessary exposure.

* The above is extracted from Grimsby Calling which was published (price £2) earlier this year as an Amazon Kindle e-book.

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