How to Check Spanish Influenza

Published on March 28, 2020

As the deadly Spanish Flu raged throughout the world in 1918, nearly every Wyoming newspaper carried the news of the disease. The Oct. 10, 1918 issue of the Lovell Chronicle printed this warning on its front page.

            Smother the cough and sneeze into a handkerchief.

            Keep away from those suffering with colds.

            Cover mouth and nose with handkerchief when about to cough or sneeze.

            Use individual towels and napkins.

            Keep away from crowds, even outdoors.

            Keep children in their own yard.

            Remain much in the open air.

            Lead a clean life and keep regular habits.

            When the first symptoms of a cold are felt, go straight to bed and call a doctor.

            When convalescing do not expose yourself in any way. Grip is a treacherous disease and complications come oftentimes after the patient is well on the way to recovery.

            When shopping do not remain in a store any longer than is positively necessary to attend to the business in question.

            Report all poorly ventilated places where people are crowded together.

            Any employee suffering with cold should be immediately relieved from duty until recovery is complete.

            Report to the Bureau of Health any violation of the simple rules and regulations laid down for the stamping out of the plaque.

        Other newspapers reported:

Flu In Piney

            Word received at the Forest office is to the effect that the epidemic of influenza in the Piney country is pretty well under control at the present time. There have been a number of deaths there resulting from the after effects of influenza. –From the Dec. 12, 1918 issue of the Star Valley Independent.

FLU SITUATION SHOWS BIG IMPROVEMENT – ONE DEATH REPORTED

            Experienced Nurses are Yet Needed – Reports from Country Districts Are Extremely Encouraging

        With every passing day the flu situation at Sheridan and in Sheridan County is improving. From reports received it is apparent that not only has the crest of the wave passed but it is evident that the epidemic is subsiding and the plague is on to be a matter of history.

`Only one death has been reported during the past twenty-four hours and the number of new cases are very few.

        From Acme, where the disease has raged with extreme virulence, the report comes that conditions are extremely favorable, and from all the mining camps hopeful reports, are received. 

        New cases are developing in the country districts, but the plague is not gaining the ground there that it was feared it would. Apparently, the country people have profited by the experience of the urban dwellers and are taking precautions that arc guarding them from infection. – From the Nov. 2. 1918 issue of the Sheridan Post.

CAPTION

            During the outbreak of the Spanish Flu some health officials put their full faith behind gauze masks. One governor declared that it was the “patriotic duty of every American citizen” to wear a mask and his state eventually made it the law. Citizens caught in public without a mask or wearing it improperly were arrested, charged with “disturbing the peace” and fined $5. Yet others say that the gauze masks officials claimed were “99 percent proof against influenza” were in reality hardly effective at all. Take your pick. Drawing and information from the internet.