The lessons of quarantine: Philadelphia and St. Louis in the midst of the "Spanish flu" in 1918

An entertaining excursion into the history. Reporters compared the decision of the authorities of the two cities in the United States during the pandemic of Spanish flu in 1918, and their consequences. One of them was introduced strict quarantine, while the second held a mass parade.

History holds lessons for how the country was struggling with epidemics and the world with the pandemic. In the midst of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 Philadelphia have not abolished the pompous parade. Another city in the United States – St. Louis – quite the contrary, canceled all public events, and immediately introduced strict quarantine measures. The result in Philadelphia was much more deaths from "Spanish flu" than in St. Louis.

The population of Philadelphia was then 1.7 million people, and in St. Louis lived just over 680 thousand, it was the fourth populous city in the United States. And, if you compare the population of Philadelphia, then St. Louis would have to die a little less than 4800 people. Died and 700. And Philadelphia didn't survive this disease 12 thousand people.

Mobile stand factory naval aviation moves along Broad street of Philadelphia during the parade, devoted to the Law on loans of liberty. Loans freedom are bonds issued by the U.S. government to pay the costs of the coalition forces during the First world war. The parade was held on 28 September 1918. The day before the parade in Philadelphia 118 people were sick of the "Spanish flu".

In 1918 in Philadelphia passed a few of these parades. Their goal was to collect as many wishing to buy government bonds. But what happened in the city on 28 September, the scale could not be matched to any celebration.

The city authorities have decided not to cancel the event. It has gathered about 200 thousand people. After three days in the hospitals of Philadelphia, not a single free space. And hospitals at that time were many – 31.

Written on the poster that we should not spit on the ground. The inscription posted in October 1918, just at the entrance to the plant of naval aviation. Of all U.S. cities, Philadelphia suffered from the Spanish flu the most.

Ambulance in front of the girls ' Club in Philadelphia in the midst of an epidemic of "Spanish flu". The clubhouse was quickly converted into a hospital. A week after the parade, the city has contracted more than 45 thousand people. 12 thousand of them died.

The sign on the pole next to the city hall of Philadelphia it is written: "Spit death". The city government hung these posters on many posts and handed out leaflets advised what to do in the midst of the epidemic. They hoped that these measures will stop the spread of the virus.

Public transportation Philadelphia is also recommended not to spit on the floor. This is a photograph of 1918.

A report on the crisis staff at a military depot in Philadelphia October 8, 1918. In a report to the office of the Quartermaster General in Washington reported that 11 officers and 1489 employees "have to work" and the situation is not improving.

A police officer accompanies the patient "Spanish flu" in the hospital in Philadelphia in October 1918.

1918. Patients in the Department of pneumonia at the Hospital of the Samaritans, which ran a training forces the students of temple University in Philadelphia. The Spanish flu claimed the lives of 50 million people in the world. 675 thousand died in the United States.

Members of the motorized brigade of the red cross of St. Louis has taken over the service on 10 October 1918. Not in the case of Philadelphia power St. Louis, Missouri, decided to cancel the parade in honor of the Law on loans of freedom and encouraged citizens not to gather in large groups. Was also closed schools.

As a result of strict quarantine measures in St. Louis was recorded no more than 700 deaths from "Spanish flu" (when naslenie just over 680 thousand people). The number of deaths in Philadelphia amounted to 12 thousand (out of a population of 1.7 million people).

Autophagy red cross in St. Louis in 1918.

Red cross workers in St. Louis in the midst of the epidemic of Spanish flu in October 1918.