By Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Societ
Over 100 years ago, Sausalito—and most of the rest of the world—was in the grips of a pandemic with eerie similarities to what we’re experiencing today.
ILLUSTRATION FROM SAUSALITO NEWS
Nurse using a mask as a protection from influenza
Known colloquially as Spanish Influenza because King Alphonso of Spain was one of its victims, the epidemic killed more than three times the number of American casualties in World War I, according to the Sausalito News. The paper quoted Surgeon General Rupert Blue’s opinion that “there is no reason to believe that it originated in Spain. Some writers who have studied the question believe that the epidemic came from the Orient and they call attention to the fact that the Germans mention the disease as occurring along the eastern front in the summer and fall of 1917." In fact, he added, “"Epidemics of influenza have visited this country since 1647.”
In October 1918, the paper reported: “Nearly fifteen thousand cases of so-called ‘Spanish influenza’ have been reported to the California State Board of Health during the week ending October 15th.”
The News article continued: “While a large number of cases have been reported from the larger cities of the State, some of the less populous cities have reported a much larger proportion of cases than have the large cities. So far, the disease has not appeared in as virulent form as it has in many of the eastern cities. Out of the fifteen thousand cases reported, there have been less than one hundred deaths. The disease appeared in California first in some of the railroad centers close to the railroad gateways at the State's border lines. In every instance the outbreaks in these railroad towns can be traced to persons who were sick with influenza and who were taken off the trains in these towns where so many cases were later reported. It is probable that the present outbreak will continue for at least a month, and at the present time we are only in the early stages of the epidemic.”
Several cases of influenza in Sausalito were contracted across the bay, according to the paper: “In our town it is not so likely to spread as in a thickly populated city. It is contracted mostly in crowded theatres or public gatherings and offices and stores, especially where ventilation and sanitary conditions are poor. The disease itself is not dangerous, but complications occur which are. As a precautionary measure, Forts Baker and Barry are quarantined for forty days and the National Defender's Club closed for a short time. Major Malott of Ft. Baker has ordered that soldiers be detailed to see that no man in uniform attend motion pictures, dances or gatherings inside of doors. There is no influenza at Ft. Baker.”
Advice from the State Board of Health has a familiar ring today: “To avoid influenza, the Board advises workers to walk to work, if possible; avoid the person who coughs or sneezes; wash your hands before eating; make full use of all available sunshine. Do not use a common drinking cup or a common towel, they both spread disease. Should you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Keep out of crowded places; walk in the open air rather than go to crowded places of amusement. Keep away from houses where there are cases of influenza. If sick, no matter how slightly, see a physician. If you had influenza, stay in bed until your doctor says you can safely get up. Sleep is necessary for wellbeing. Avoid over-exertion. Eat good clean food. To Householders: The Board advises keeping out of the sick room unless attendance is necessary. Do not handle articles coming from the room until they are boiled. Allow no visitors, and do not go visiting. Keep away from crowded places, such as movies, theatres, street cars. See to it that your children are kept warm and dry both night and day.”
Some advice now seems a bit dated: “Have sufficient fire in your home to disperse the dampness. Open your windows at night. If cool weather prevails, add extra bed clothing. If you feel a sudden chill, followed by muscular pain, headache, backache, unusual tiredness and fever, go to bed at once. See that there is enough clothing to keep you warm. Open all windows in your bedroom and keep them open at all times, except in rainy weather. Take medicine to open the bowels freely. Take some nourishing food such as milk, egg and milk or broth every four hours.”
At year end, Sausalito public schools were closed “until there is a great decline in the number of influenza cases.”
But by February, 1919 the News stated: “Despite the fact that the influenza epidemic was prevalent here three weeks ago, the health of the city, as shown by the mortality statistics, is now normal —or better than normal if it be considered that twenty-eight of the deaths recorded last week were the results of previously acquired influenza.”
As a precaution, however, the paper quoted from a State Board of Health pamphlet which stressed that “the burden of responsibility in the control of influenza rests, after all, chiefly upon the people themselves. People should remain at home whenever suffering from a cold, even though they have no suspicion that they may have influenza. The isolation of cases is undoubtedly of first importance and this is, after all, largely a matter of education of the general public, with voluntary observance of the common sense demands of the situation on their part.”
Those are words to live by. Quite literally.