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(More customer reviews)A careful, well-written and thoroughly documented academic study of the flu pandemic that ravaged America from 1918 to 1920. Includes numerous illustrations, tables and photographs, chapter notes, an extensive classified bibliography, and an excellent index.
Taking a much-different approach than the several other books available on the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, the authors -- Pettit, a former Medical Technologist with a Ph.D. in American History, and Bailie, holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry -- take a "social history" approach and weave the stories of individuals who lived and died during this harrowing time, in with informed scientific discussion of the virus and clinical perspectives of the healthcare professionals who tried to save them.
The numbers are shocking -- Pettit and Bailie cite pandemic influenza data indicating that "25%-30% of the world's population" had "clinically apparent illnesses" with a resulting "mortality rate of 2.5 % to 5 %." And, though the pandemic is usually only briefly mentioned in -- or, often even left out of many world and/or American history books -- it was truly a catastrophic event. The authors estimate that somewhere between 50,000,000 and 100,000,000 people died of this particular, virulent strain of the flu worldwide during those two years.
In the opening chapter, "The Riddle of Influenza," we're introduced to the distinguished neurosurgeon, Harvey Cushing, of Johns Hopkins University, who describes his battles with influenza in 1906 and 1918. The authors then discuss how the virus was typically diagnosed at the time, describes the viral invasion, replication and the body's attempts to defend itself; then, goes on to discuss bacterial complications, and traces the disease through the history of mankind. Closes the chapter with a discussion of research conducted by Simon Flexner of the Rockefeller Institute on epidemic encephalitis and Richard E. Shope's work on Hog Flu and the peculiar characteristics of this particular strain, noting that: "About fifty percent of those who died were between twenty and forty years of age. [And,] influenza and pneumonia death rates for 15 to 34 year-olds were more than 20 times higher in 1918 than in previous years; they were people in the prime of life, a group that usually has a very low death rate from influenza."
Chapter two, "The Silent Foe," focuses on the impact of the flu pandemic on the millions of American soldiers mobilized to fight in France during World War I. Describes efforts by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, Army Surgeon General William C. Gorgas and others to improve sanitary conditions in the training camps, to identify and weed-out unfit doctors, and their unsuccessful efforts to prevent the spread of the flu to major cities. Offers useful data that describes this spread by date and city location (46 cities), through the Navy ships and shipyards, through the Army camps and over into France, China and around the world. Focuses on descriptions of the virus in China and closes with a brief discussion of the impact on Austrian-German forces.
Chapter 3, "A Kind of Plague," focuses on the impact of the Flu on the allied forces in France, discusses the establishment of the Pneumonia Commission in the United States during July 1918 and describes their work at Camp Pike in Arkansas, Camp Funston in Kansas, and Camp Devens in Massachusetts. Closes the chapter with discussion of the plight of specific individuals, the horrific death rates, the shortages of coffins in major cities, the effect on the political elections, and bans on gatherings.
Chapter 4, "One War Ends," discusses the economic impact of the flu pandemic during September-October, 1918 through the stories of individuals involved, how the pandemic "was a boon to the life insurance industry," the shortages of healthcare personnel, U.S. Public Health Service efforts to help communities fight the disease, how pandemic-related poverty cases overwhelmed the social agencies of the time, and the misery of the many thousands of children who had lost one or both parents.
Chapter 5, "The Paris Cold," focuses on the impact on the work of the Diplomatic Corps in Paris who fought influenza virus while trying -- at the same time -- to address and write the peace treaty and associated documents to end the war. Refers to cases of one prominent individual after another -- Dr. Raymond Pearl with the U.S. Food Administration, Willard Straight who was an investment banker and founder of New Republic Magazine, Joseph Grew of the State Department, economist Clive Day, Colonel Edward M. House, and finally the battle to save the life of the President himself, Woodrow Wilson, are all narrated and implications on the American Peace Delegation are drawn.
Chapter 6, "The Aftermath (1919)," offers an assessment of the impact of the pandemic on both individual lives and on America's public institutions. Suggests that it: forced the U.S. Government to offer financial support for medical research; pointed out to social workers, how essential it is for communities to offer services to safeguard the health of citizens; how health is as much a public concern as it is a private concern; forced a reassessment of the mission and role of the American Red Cross, the New York City Health Commission and the growth of Public Health Nursing; and, promoted efforts by bacteriologists and other noted scientists of the day to find the cause of the infection and spread of influenza.
Chapter 7, "A Tired Nation (1920)," describes the continued impacts of the pandemic on the American public. Discusses the deaths of more prominent individuals, efforts to limit the spread, the hoarding and profiteering that took place, the resulting mental disorders of many of the victims, and how the nation struggled during this "sad and sickly" time.
Chapter 8, the closing chapter, "The Battle Continues," concludes that the flu pandemic of 1918 was a truly "humbling experience." Discusses how the great strides that scientists had made in bacteriology during the previous 50 year had given many a "false sense of security." Cites the pandemic as kindling a vigorous crusade against the disease, with the Rockefeller Institute spending hundreds of millions of dollars in post-pandemic research and being instrumental in creating focus and interest on public and community health and preventative medicine. Offers a detailed discussion of the theories of origin of the pandemic, followed by a wide-ranging discussion of the research and findings of a number of present-day researcher, including: Jeffrey Taubenberger, Terrence Tumpey, Johan Hultin, Mark J. Gibbs, Adrian J. Gibbs, Neil M. Ferguson, Ira Longini, Jr., Pascale Wortley, and David Morens.
Bottom line of the authors? "We must treat this microscopic mass murderer with the utmost respect and never doubt its exceptional ability to adapt, take advantage of permissive conditions where it can, and overcome adverse conditions to develop resistance to treatments [designed] to destroy it when it must."
And, as stated on the back cover: "Because many experts believe that it is not a matter of IF the world will encounter another 1918-like flu pandemic, but WHEN...[this] should be considered essential reading for those interested in learning what worked -- and didn't--during that grim time."
Highly recommended; this book belongs in the collection of EVERY college, university and public library. It should also be seriously considered for inclusion in secondary school collections where students are encouraged to write term papers.
In addition, medical and public health decision-makers in government office worldwide, and individuals practicing in the fields of nursing, public health, medicine, and teaching in the history of medicine and in the life-sciences will find it thought-provoking and useful reading.
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A Cruel Wind: Pandemic Flu in America 1918-1920The flu pandemic that began in 1918 touched with illness virtually every family in America. It was a devastating time, far overshadowing the carnage of World War I as the pandemic killed more people in less time than any disease before or since. With 25% to 30% of the worlds population having clinically apparent illnesses and a mortality rate of 2.5% - 5%, it is believed that more than 675,000 Americans were among the 50-100 million that died worldwide. Because many experts believe that it is not a matter of if the world will encounter another 1918-like flu pandemic, but when, this social history of the pandemic should be considered essential reading for students, public health officials, doctors, nurses, journalists, and those in government office, interested in learning what workedand didntduring that grim time.
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