Chapter 3

3.In pursuance of this suggestion a six-page leaflet was subsequently prepared and printed in English, Italian and three other languages, and was well distributed throughout the District.

Mr. Brown also suggested that a fund be created from which money could be drawn to be used in paying some one in each sub-district to look after and report upon the sanitary and health conditions in that particular locality.

Anthony C. Campbell, Esq., Fuel Administrator for this section of the State, stated that he had received reports from various large coal-mining companies, which had enabled him to prepare a statement showing that from 28,000 to 30,000 tons of coal had been lost to the industry on account of the influenza.

On motion of Mr. W. C. Shepherd it was voted that all communities in this District be requested to organize committees on the plan endorsed or recommended by the State Board of Health. In pursuance of this motion Chairman Dougherty appointed Wm. C. Shepherd, Dr. Charles H. Miner, Dr. S. P. Mengel, Dr. E. L. Meyers, A. C. Campbell and Percy A. Brown a committee (“Ways and Means Committee”) to prepare a draft of the plan to be used for the guidance of the several communities in this matter.

In pursuance of a motion made by Dr. Walter Davis the Chairman appointed Dr. Davis, Dr. D. H. Lake, Dr. J. W. Geist and Miss Nellie G. Loftus a committee to report with respect to the systematic treatment of “flu” patients.

On motion of Wm. H. Conyngham it was voted: “(1) that an effort be made to retain here the five nurses who are now in this community, but who have been ordered to return to Washington on October 26; (2) that the Chairman of the General Committee communicate by telegraph with the proper officials at Washington, expressing our desire to have retained here, until the situation is improved, the army doctors who are now in the field, or thatother doctors be sent to take their places, and that as many as can be furnished be sent.”

On October 20, at a meeting of the General and District Chairmen, in conjunction with the members of the Ways and Means Committee, the latter presented a plan for the organization of outlying communities. This plan was forthwith adopted and ordered to be printed and distributed among the officials of the various communities.[4]Fuel Conservator Campbell reported that he had telegraphed to Federal Fuel Administrator Garfield, urging him to use his influence to have the army doctors then here kept here.

4.This was subsequently done, in the following form:PLAN OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FOR THE EPIDEMIC EMERGENCY.1. Community Chairman (President of Board of Health).2. Executive Committee, consisting of:A. Board of Health.B. Burgess and member of Borough or Township Council.C. Mine Superintendent and representative of labor union.D. Principal of schools.E. Red Cross Worker.F. Member of Council of National Defense.G. Clergyman.H. Prominent Citizen.I. Local Physician—principally in advisory capacity.3. Secretary.4. Emergency Station.5. Community Captains.6. Nursing Bureau.7. Canteen Service.8. Automobile Service.9. Publicity Bureau.10. Miscellaneous.

4.This was subsequently done, in the following form:

PLAN OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FOR THE EPIDEMIC EMERGENCY.

1. Community Chairman (President of Board of Health).2. Executive Committee, consisting of:A. Board of Health.B. Burgess and member of Borough or Township Council.C. Mine Superintendent and representative of labor union.D. Principal of schools.E. Red Cross Worker.F. Member of Council of National Defense.G. Clergyman.H. Prominent Citizen.I. Local Physician—principally in advisory capacity.3. Secretary.4. Emergency Station.5. Community Captains.6. Nursing Bureau.7. Canteen Service.8. Automobile Service.9. Publicity Bureau.10. Miscellaneous.

1. Community Chairman (President of Board of Health).

2. Executive Committee, consisting of:

A. Board of Health.

B. Burgess and member of Borough or Township Council.

C. Mine Superintendent and representative of labor union.

D. Principal of schools.

E. Red Cross Worker.

F. Member of Council of National Defense.

G. Clergyman.

H. Prominent Citizen.

I. Local Physician—principally in advisory capacity.

3. Secretary.

4. Emergency Station.

5. Community Captains.

6. Nursing Bureau.

7. Canteen Service.

8. Automobile Service.

9. Publicity Bureau.

10. Miscellaneous.

At this time the influenza and pneumonia conditions were “appalling” in certain localities in Luzerne County. At Glen Lyon, as well as at Georgetown in the township of Wilkes-Barré, the situation was very serious. An average of about 75 new cases per day in Wilkes-Barré was being reported, while all the emergency hospitals in the District were without sufficient help.

On October 22 new cases in Wilkes-Barré to the number of 120 were reported, while conditions in Glen Lyon, Nanticoke, Wanamie and some other places in the 5th District were “desperate”. On this date Dr. Miner and the Chairman of the General Committee received the following communication, copies of which were immediately transmitted by them to the various emergency organizations in the 5th District.

“October 20, 1918.

“From: The Commissioner of Health of Pennsylvania.

“To: All concerned with Problem of Nursing during the present Epidemic of Influenza.

“Subject: Plan of Organization and Instructions. (General Order No. 2.)

“As it is not yet fully realized that the present epidemic afflicting us in these war times has caused the greatest need, and at the same time is accompanied by the greatest scarcity, of graduate nurses that has ever occurred, it is necessary to form a plan which may be adapted to any situation, as one community after another becomes involved:

“1. Graduate nurses must be used in such a way that their services be of assistance to the greatest number. This may be done by calling first upon all partially trained attendants, Red Cross workers, and then lay helpers, or any intelligent persons who are able to assist, and who will faithfully follow instructions. These latter must be instructed carefully in the essentials for treating patients, protecting themselves, and preventing the spread of infection, and be directed to make a simple record of their work each day, while the graduate nurses must move about rapidly to cover as much territory as possible if the cases are in private homes or in small groups, supervising the work of subordinates, instructing these subordinates, and following up their work. If the graduate is assigned to a hospital, the same plan should be used,i. e., nurses or lay helpers detailed to small groups of patients, with the graduate in charge. Thus an active graduate and subordinates who obey orders with military precision get actual results which cannot be obtained by attempts to furnish trained nurses to individual families or in quantity to hospitals.

“2. It is imperative that the lives and health of physicians, nurses and lay workers be conserved for service to the vast number afflicted. Accordingly in each hospital (emergency, tent-hospital or otherwise) or in each community which has been organized against the epidemic, a system should be devised to apportion the time and labor of all workers as equally as possible, according to the character of their work. All precautions against infection must be constantly observed,e. g., the wearing of gowns which cover the entire body; masks made by applying eight layers of surgical gauze, or two of butter cloth, to the convex surface of a wire tea-strainer about four inches in diameter, which is molded to fit the face from above the tip of the nose to below the point of the chin and secured to the head by tapes, (gauze changed every hour and boiled half an hour, sun dried and used over again); by the use of antiseptics, including careful cleansing of the hands after handling patients, before eating, etc., and care in destroying by burning or sterilizing infected material.

“3. Strict discipline (semi-military) is essential for saving time and insuring accuracy in receiving and executing orders. All personal differences and likes and dislikes must be absolutely subordinated to the general need. Those in charge of others should exercise judgment in issuing orders to other subordinates, being careful to avoid anything which may be unnecessary or a repetition. Subordinates will observe instructions of their superiors without hesitation or argument. Courtesy at all times on the part of every one concerned will result in reaching most quickly the goal upon which our every effort is bent—the checking, if possible, ofthis great public disasterand minimizing its crippling effect and death toll.

“4. Requests for aid from stricken communities should be made to the nearest representative of the Department of Health, who will referit to the Physician in charge of the Emergency District. This includes calls for doctors, nurses, aids, materials and any other form of relief. The Department will make a supreme effort to satisfy all such needs as rapidly as possible. However, where these are at hand they should be obtained locally.

“5. The best emergency hospital is the tent hospital, where the patient may obtain fresh air for twenty-four hours and receive sunlight by being hauled out into the company streets during the day. Wooden shacks or lean-tos (like those used in T. B. treatment), the walls of which may be raised by hinges and pulleys to admit the air and sunlight, are excellent. Buildings without balconies or porches should not be used unless there is adequate room or window space. Open air schools are almost ideal; next to them are modern high schools with large grounds about them. Visitors should be excluded, except relatives of dying patients, who should wear gowns and masks during the visit.

“6. Encourage the people of the community who wish to do something for the sufferers but cannot nurse them, to make masks, gowns and other supplies, also broths or other forms of nourishing food. Traveling kitchens or food delivered from a community kitchen by motor cars are of great assistance to stricken families. A County Committee should be formed for the purpose of investigating and promptly relieving distress, financial or otherwise. This committee could enable wage earners to remain at their employment.

“7. All existing agencies (local government, organizations, societies, orders, etc.) should be co-ordinated so that there be no uncertainty or confusion as to what is needed and how to meet the need and no waste of personnel or repetition of instructions or starts upon unnecessary errands.

“8. In each district, which may include several Counties, there is a physician in full charge of the district, with permanent headquarters. There is also a supervising nurse of the district, whose headquarters should be the same as the District Chief’s, unless an emergency should make another arrangement desirable. All other Department officers are subordinates to these two representatives of the Medical and Nursing service respectively. Reports by wire or ’phone are required daily at 1 p.m. from Supervising Nurse, District Chief, and from each County Inspector at the Epidemic Headquarters, Harrisburg. These officers should arrange that all of their subordinates in the district report to them at a convenient hour prior to this time.

“9. It should be borne in mind that the District Chief and Supervising Nurse of each district are responsible for their entire district and cannot be spared too long in any one locality. Their movements will depend upon exigencies which may arise and orders from this office.

“B. Franklin Royer.

“Acting Commissioner of Health.”

On October 23 the eighth Emergency Hospital in the 5th District was opened in the Maffet Street School building at Plains,Luzerne County, with Miss May Conlon, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse.

On October 25 the following-named United States Army medical officers, who had been on duty in the 5th District, returned, under orders, to Camp Crane: Lieut. C. F. Bahler, Lieut. Joseph Goldstone, Lieut. G. T. Meek and Lieut. J. a.m. Aspy. Capt. E. L. Hendricks, being ill at Hotel Sterling, remained here some days longer. Upon the abovementioned date General Dougherty, Chairman of the General Committee, telegraphed to Gen. Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff, U.S.A., as follows:

“By systematic organization and effort we have been endeavoring to combat Spanish Influenza in Luzerne County, with its population of 350,000 souls. We had 300 registered physicians in the County, of whom 115 have gone into the military service. We has over 12,000 cases [of influenza] in the County, and have established, in addition to the regular hospitals, seven emergency hospitals. But three medical officers of those who were sent here from Camp Crane now remain. Six thousand mine workers are ill with the disease, thus reducing the daily output of anthracite coal 15,000 tons, or at the rate of 300,000 tons per month. We are informed that you have 4,000 medical officers in training at Camp Greenleaf. We must have twenty-five physicians sent here at once. Please give us this number of physicians, as the spread of the disease is increasing, and we must have medical assistance. Our doctors are exhausted.”

At a meeting of the General Committee held October 26 Chairman Dougherty reported that the Commissioners of Luzerne County had appropriated $25,000. to be used in defraying the expenses incurred in combating the epidemic in Luzerne County.[5]It was the general opinion of the members of the committee present that this money should not be distributed among the various communities entitled to it until the end of the epidemic. It was pointed out, however, that several communities had already made applications for needed funds. It was finally decided that a committee composed of the Chairman and three other members of the General Committee should prepare, and report at a subsequent meeting, a plan for the proper expenditure of the County appropriation.

5.About this time the City Council of Wilkes-Barré made a special appropriation of $5,000. to be used in fighting the “flu” in the city. This sum was in addition to the regular annual appropriation for the city’s Bureau of Health.

Colonel Eyer reported on conditions at the Armory Emergency Hospital, and stated that many of the patients who had died therewere practically in a dying condition when received into the hospital. At 9:20 o’clock p.m. the Committee adjourned and proceeded to the Lehigh Valley Railroad station, where the following-named United States Army medical officers were met upon their arrival from Camp Crane, Allentown, Pennsylvania, for epidemic work in Luzerne County, and were assigned to duty as herein noted.

Capt. H. W. Dessaussure (in command) and Lieuts. E. J. Burke, E. Z. Brunner, L. H. Hills and J. B. McGuinness, to report to Dr. J. W. Leckie at the Hazleton Emergency Hospital; Capts. E. B. Chenowith and Evan S. Evans, U.S.M.C., to the Wilkes-Barré Armory Hospital; Lieuts. Robert Funston and A. C. Hall to report to Dr. Stricker at Nanticoke; Lieut. Frank F. Davis to report to Dr. Stricker for service at Glen Lyon; Lieut. Leroy Fredericks to report to Dr. Stricker for service at the Wanamie Emergency Hospital; Lieut. H. R. Lipscomb to be physician in charge at the Plains Emergency Hospital.

On this date, according to a report submitted by the County Medical Inspector to the State department of Health, the number of influenza and pneumonia patients undergoing treatment in the various hospitals in the 5th District were as follows: Hazleton Emergency, 22; Exeter Emergency, 70; Dupont Emergency, 9; Wanamie Emergency, 55; Wilkes-Barré Armory Emergency, 46; Catawissa Emergency, 8; Plains Emergency, 19; Nanticoke Emergency, ?; Hazleton State, 75; Nesbitt West Side, 14; Wyoming Valley Homœopathic, 15; Nanticoke State, 13; Mercy, 30; Wilkes-Barré City, 64; Bloomsburg, 19; Berwick, 26. (Riverside Hospital, Wilkes-Barré, had received no “flu” patients.)

On October 28 new cases in Luzerne County were reported as follows: Edwardsville, 40; Wilkes-Barré City, 98; Wilkes-Barré Township, 16; Larksville, 19; Plymouth Borough, 50; Plymouth Township, 12; Laflin, 10; Miners Mills, 29; Parsons, 18; Plains Township, 109; Ashley, 13; Hanover Township, 35; Laurel Run, 2; Sugar Notch, 2; Warrior Run, 19; Courtdale, 6; Dallas, 2; Dorranceton, 16; Forty Fort, 18; Luzerne, 31; Swoyerville, 16; Wyoming, 14; West Wyoming, 8; Avoca, 5; Duryea, 4; Dupont, 1; Exeter Borough, 1; Hughestown, 11; Pittston, 20; West Pittston, 4; Pittston Township, 4; Dorrance, 3; Kingston, 32; Hazleton,27; Weston, 48; Conyngham Borough, 3; Freeland,18; Lattimer,11; St. John’s,1; Sandy Run,11; Upper Lehigh,6; West Hazleton,72; Seybertsville,2; Neuremburg,22; Nanticoke, 64; Nescopeck,3—making a total of 956 new cases in Luzerne County.

On October 28 a joint-meeting of the General and Coöperation Committees was held in the rooms of the Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce.

Chairman Brown stated that the biggest problem with which the Coöperation Committee had to deal was that respecting nurses. He further stated that something should be done immediately to establish organizations in those communities. He advocated more pay for nurses, and said he believed that a sufficient number of nurses could be secured, whereby better progress would be made in combating the scourge.

After some discussion it was voted that in Luzerne County the pay of graduate nurses should be fixed at $120 per month, and that of practical nurses at $75 per month. It was also voted that all nurses should be under the control of Miss Loftus and the General Committee.

It was decided to recommend the placarding of all homes in which influenza existed in all cities, boroughs and first-class townships in Luzerne County. Also, that all matters of publicity concerning the “flu” in Luzerne County should be handled by the Chairman of the Coöperation Committee.

Following the adjournment of this meeting the following “Publicity Bulletin” was issued.

“A meeting of all District Chairmen and members of the Ways and Means Committee was held this morning in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce. Reports received showed that in certain outlying boroughs and townships officials charged with the protection of the lives of their constituents, as well as the general health of their respective communities, are placing the lives of their people below their selfish aims by playing politics. It was decided that, unless the said officials take immediate steps to bring about proper organization and protection of their respective communities, action will be taken at once to have them removed and their places filled by people with a sense of honor, and who will give to their communities the protection to which they are entitled.

“It was also decided that there is a great need for field nurses, and that the sooner a sufficient number of such nurses can be secured, thesooner the epidemic will be checked in our community. It was decided to pay graduate nurses $120. per month and practical nurses $75. per month. All nurses will be in charge of Miss Nellie G. Loftus, who is stationed at the Wyoming Valley Dispensary, 184, South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barré.

“It was also brought to the attention of the meeting that newspaper reports secured from people in boroughs and townships are not accurate, and that the same are an injustice to the said communities. In one community, where it was reported that thirteen deaths had occurred, correct figures show that the deaths numbered only three. Therefore, it was decided that the General Committee should be responsible for publicity given out only by the Chairman of the Coöperation Committee, to whom are sent all official reports from communities.

“It was also decided to recommend to the officials of all cities, boroughs and first-class townships in Luzerne County the placarding of homes in which influenza exists.

[Signed] “Percy A. Brown,

“Chairman of the Coöperation Committee.”

Reports to the Coöperation Committee on October 31 showed 709 new cases of influenza and 67 deaths theretofore unreported in forty-eight communities of Luzerne County—indicating a decrease in the number of new cases, but no decrease in the number of deaths.

On November 4 only seventy-three new cases in Wilkes-Barré were reported, and there were very gratifying indications that the scourge was subsiding in most parts of Luzerne County. It was estimated that 10,000 coal miners in the County were idle because of the “flu.”

A well-attended meeting of the General Committee was held in the auditorium of the Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce in the evening of November 6, with Chairman Dougherty presiding and Hayden Williams as Secretary. The County Medical Inspector, in reporting on conditions in his District, stated that Berwick in Columbia County and Plains in Luzerne County were still having a serious time with the epidemic. Nanticoke, he said, had also been hard hit. He stated that in Newport Township, Luzerne County, 249 people had died from the influenza. He declared that, while conditions in general were improved, new cases and deaths would likely continue to occur during the next three or four weeks.

The County Medical Inspector took advantage of this occasion to declare that too much could not be said about the good workaccomplished by the general organization in Luzerne County, which had been the salvation of the entire County. Without it the loss of life would have been considerably greater, and many communities would have felt the full force of the epidemic. He then read a communication from the Acting Commissioner of Health, which he had received a short time previously, in part as follows:

“Where churches and schools have been closed during the epidemic of influenza, great care should be practised at the time of removing restrictions. Many children have been kept completely out of danger during this dangerous period, and to open too soon and run the chance of bringing them into contact with persons who have recently recovered, and who may perhaps be carriers, may again bring fresh outbreaks of the disease, particularly among school children.

“Then, too, thousands of public, private and parochial school teachers have been actively engaged in nursing, and these teachers should have a few days of rest—preferably a week—and ought to be absent from work at the bedsides of the sick for that period of time before returning to the schools or to crowded services.

“I would urge that you take these things into consideration, and in conference with the School Boards arrange for resuming sessions, so far as possible, when two-thirds of the children in any school district are ready to return from homes where no one has suffered with influenza for a period of seven days. Where possible, medical or nursing supervision would be advisable—especially for a few days after opening the schools.

“I would suggest that, so far as practicable, the resumption of school work should take place about midweek, and of Churches and Sunday Schools on the Sunday following. This will bring children gradually together, and will avoid the overcrowding apt to occur in Sunday Schools if these schools were first opened. It is not necessary to tell you that fifty per cent. of the Sunday Schools are conducted in buildings not as well ventilated as are the public schools.”

It was stated, in this connection, that over 2,000 school teachers throughout the State had been active in helping to fight the epidemic.

Upon motion of Percy A. Brown it was voted to publish the letter of the Acting Commissioner of Health, and to urge all school boards and Sunday Schools not to reopen their schools without first consulting the Boards of Health of their respective localities, to learn whether or not the resumption of school sessions would cause a further spread of the epidemic.

Chairman Dougherty, referring to the work of the various committees in this locality during the epidemic, stated that, while talking at Harrisburg a few days previously with Dr. Royer, theActing Commissioner of Health, the latter informed him that the epidemic organization in Luzerne County was “the finest in the country, and the people of this County deserve great credit for the work done.” General Dougherty then read a letter which he had just received from the Acting Commissioner, in part as follows:

“I am very greatly indebted to you for the splendid story of the Emergency hospitals, and to note what a tremendous amount of public interest your committee has aroused. It is only by such community service that it has been possible to save the number of lives of miners that we have saved during this public health drive. Too much credit cannot be given to your local committee, and I shall see to it that the press gives the local people a great share of credit.”

Wm. C. Shepherd expressed the opinion that the General Committee should communicate to the various communities in the County the suggestions of the State Department of Health with reference to the lifting of the quarantine ban wherever it had been imposed.

Percy A. Brown, Chairman of the Coöperation Committee, reported that while the latest reports received showed there had been a general falling off of the disease, the daily average of new cases was about seven per district, compared with a recent average of ten per district. He stated that he expected to send out on the ensuing day, to every community chairman in Luzerne County, a questionnaire asking for certain information regarding the total number of cases and of deaths that had occurred since the beginning of the epidemic, together with a complete record of all workers, paid and volunteer. Later on, he said, he hoped to have a meeting of the various chairmen, with a view to forming an organization to prevent a recurrence of dangerous conditions during future epidemics.

County Controller Hendershot suggested that Chairman Brown’s questionnaire should include a call for information with respect to the number of children orphaned by the epidemic. He said that if he could secure such information he would take it to Harrisburg and endeavor to secure additional aid from the State for the care of such children. He said he believed that the State would increase the Mothers’ Pension Fund appropriation in order to handle such cases.

Wm. C. Shepherd declared that the gathering of various statistics, as proposed, would bring together valuable information for use in preparing for publication a history of the epidemic. These facts, in his judgment, should be printed and preserved for the benefit of future generations. In this connection the Rev. Father McCabe suggested that it would be wise not to take the census of the various communities until the epidemic was thoroughly stamped out. Dr. S. P. Mengel also stated that it would be unwise to take a census until the epidemic was over; and, as to the final data to be secured by a census, he said that only those facts furnished by the medical authorities should be accepted, inasmuch as no one else was competent to determine whether or not a person alleged to have been ill with influenza had suffered from that disease or something else.

The County Medical Inspector told of what had been done at Pottsville, Schuylkill County, towards taking care of the children made orphans by the epidemic. He also stated that he would like to see a community census taken, and a permanent record made of all persons who had helped in combating the epidemic in Luzerne County.

Dr. E. L. Meyers, a member of the School Board of the City of Wilkes-Barré, told of the good work performed by school teachers during the epidemic and in various public movements, and suggested that, when a census of community conditions should be made, the aid of school teachers and school superintendents should be enlisted in the work. He then offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted.

“Resolved, That the Chairman of the Coöperation Committee be instructed to appeal to the various school superintendents in Luzerne County for assistance in the making of a community census, for the purpose of ascertaining desired information in connection with the Influenza Epidemic, as well as for the protection of all communities against future epidemics. The questionnaire to be used by the school teachers in the making of the said census to be prepared by a committee of physicians to be named by the Chairman of the General Committee.”

In pursuance of this resolution Chairman Dougherty appointed Drs. E. L. Meyers, S. P. Mengel, J. W. Geist and G. A. Clark a committee to prepare the proposed census questionnaire.

The Chairman then called attention to the necessity of devising a plan for the distribution of the money appropriated by Wilkes-BarréCity and Luzerne County for epidemic work. He called especial attention to the fact that it was not the intention of the General Committee to expend the money in a haphazard manner, but that only such bills as the respective communities should be properly relieved of would be paid. The greatest care should be exercised in arranging a plan that, when worked out, would give a square deal to all the communities and effect a general feeling of satisfaction.

Thereupon, on motion of Percy A. Brown, it was voted that the Chairman of the General Committee should name a committee to be known as the “Committee for the Distribution of Funds for the Care and Relief of Influenza Victims”; which committee should devise and carry out a plan for “the distribution of the funds provided for the expenses of emergency hospitals and the relief of victims of the Influenza Epidemic in Luzerne County.”

It was further voted that this committee, before deciding upon a plan of distribution, should procure as much information as possible relative to the number of cases in each community, as well as the expenses incurred by the several communities.

In response to an inquiry made by the County Medical Inspector, it was decided that the rates of pay for nurses, agreed upon at the joint-meeting of the General and Coöperation Committees held on October 28, should, in each instance, run from the beginning of the nurse’s service.

In pursuance of the action of this meeting Chairman Dougherty subsequently appointed the following-named gentlemen to compose the Committee for the Distribution of Funds. William H. Conyngham, Dr. Charles H. Miner, John O’Donnell, James M. Stack, Fuller R. Hendershot, Harry W. Ruggles, William J. Ruff, Percy A. Brown, William C. Shepherd and Gen. Charles B. Dougherty. At a later date the members of the committee met and organized by selecting William C. Shepherd Chairman, William J. Ruff Treasurer, and L. K. Eldridge Secretary.

On Thursday, November 7, the General Committee came to an understanding with the various municipal, school and Church authorities that it would be safe to re-open saloons and bar-rooms on Saturday, November 9, churches on Sunday, November 10, moving-picture houses, theaters, dance-halls, etc., on November 11, Sunday Schools on November 17, and public, parochialand private schools (which had been closed on October 5) on November 18.

On November 5 the Catawissa Emergency Hospital (which had been established in a private residence) was closed. According to the final report received from the hospital there had been on the staff six physicians (including the chief), five Graduate Nurses and two orderlies. Thirty-nine patients had been admitted, of whom two died.

Hazleton Emergency Hospital was closed on November 8. The staff had consisted of two U.S.A. medical officers, five orderlies and enlisted men, one Graduate Nurse for five days, and a number of volunteer nurses—most of whom were school teachers. Dr. J. W. Leckie was in charge when the hospital closed. The total number of patients admitted to this hospital was 109, of which number 55 had pneumonia and 54 influenza. One influenza patient and forty-two pneumonia patients died—fourteen dying within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Exeter Emergency Hospital was closed on November 11, at which time Dr. James Dixon was the physician in charge. There had been nine Graduate Nurses and three practical nurses on the staff, three volunteer nurses and, for a part of the time, three orderlies. Influenza patients to the number of 90 and pneumonia patients to the number of 79 (making a total of 169) were admitted, of which number 42 pneumonia patients died—13 dying within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Nanticoke Emergency Hospital was closed on November 13, at which time Lieut. C. E. Yates, U.S.A., was the physician in charge, assisted by Miss Olwen Williams, Graduate Nurse. The staff had comprised four physicians (including the Chief), three medical officers, U.S.A., three Graduate Nurses, forty-three volunteer nurses, one medical student and seven orderlies. Thirty influenza and 121 pneumonia cases had been admitted, and forty-one of the latter had died—fourteen dying within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Wanamie Emergency Hospital was closed on November 14, at which time the physicians in charge were William H. Corrigan and Lieut. L. W. Frederick, U.S.A., assisted by W. R. Stewart, a medical student. Nine Graduate Nurses and five PracticalNurses (at different times), eleven volunteer nurses, thirty nurses’ aids, thirty-one Sisters of Mercy, seven orderlies and one medical student were members of the staff at one time and another. Thirty influenza patients and 157 pneumonia patients were admitted to the hospital. Forty-nine of the latter died—twenty-one dying within twenty-four hours after their admission.

The Wilkes-Barré Armory Emergency Hospital was closed on November 14. As previously noted, this hospital was opened for the reception of patients on October 16, with the following staff: Capt. E. L. Hendricks, U. S. Marine Corps, physician in charge; Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson of Wilkes-Barré, a Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse; fifteen Graduate Nurses, nine aids and two civilian orderlies.[6]

6.During the existence of the hospital the total number of physicians (including the Chief) on the staff was five; the number of Graduate Nurses was fifteen; the number of volunteer nurses was twelve (three Graduates and nine aids); the number of orderlies was ten, and of enlisted men, fifteen.

The preparing and serving of food for the patients and the entire staff of the hospital were in the hands of the Red Cross Canteen service, under the capable direction of Mrs. E. Birney Carr. For the cooking and baking of the food the services of Mrs. P. J. Higgins were obtained, and under her expert directions the quality and quantity of food served were beyond criticism.

A system was early inaugurated for the purchasing of materials and supplies, under which system all materials and supplies needed, with the exception of food, were purchased by Lieut. Charles A. Trein (of the 2d Infantry, Pennsylvania Reserve Militia), acting as Purchasing Agent. Under this system accounts rendered were promptly approved by Col. S. E. W. Eyer and ordered to be paid, with little confusion and no elaborate system of bookkeeping. With this system, and the coöperation of the medical officers and Graduate Nurses in charge, everything moved along with smoothness and regularity.

On October 24 Captain Hendricks was recalled to his unit at Camp Crane, Allentown, for oversea’s duty. Unfortunately he was taken ill when about to leave Wilkes-Barré, and for three days thereafter was confined to his bed at the Hotel Sterling. On October 25 Lieut. Joseph Goldstone, U. S. Marine Corps, was assigned to the Armory Hospital and remained in chargeuntil October 31, when he, too, was recalled to Camp Crane to report for oversea’s duty. Thus the hospital was deprived, for the second time, of a faithful, conscientious, tireless worker.

On October 28 Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson, a Red Cross worker in Wilkes-Barré on extended leave, who was serving as chief nurse at the Armory, was recalled to Washington. With her knowledge of hospital work, her energy and her untiring efforts, she had, in her twelve days of service at the Armory, placed the hospital upon a working basis which left no room for doubt as to her ability and good judgment with respect to the matters under her supervision. Mrs. Williamson was ably succeeded at the Armory by Miss Antoinette Schofield, Graduate Nurse, as nurse in charge, which position she held until the closing of the hospital.

On November 1 Capt. Evan S. Evans, U.S.M.C., was assigned to the hospital, and remained as physician in charge until November 14, when he, too, was recalled to Camp Crane. Captain Evans, with his sunny disposition and jovial smile, made many friends among the patients and others with whom he came in contact.

On November 14, with only three patients as inmates, it was decided to close the hospital. Therefore, two of the three patients were transferred to the City Hospital, and one was transferred to the Mercy Hospital. At that time an average of about thirty new cases of the pandemic were being reported each day in Wilkes-Barré. In consequence, the Armory Hospital was left intact for a period of about two weeks; but as, during that time, no new cases were received, the wards were dismantled and the building was fumigated and finally closed to the public on December 7.

All articles of food remaining on hand at the closing of the hospital were equally divided and donated to the Wilkes-Barré City Hospital, Mercy Hospital and the Wyoming Valley Homœopathic Hospital. Other articles of use and value, after being properly fumigated, were turned over to the City of Wilkes-Barré authorities for use in the city’s Hospital for Contagious Diseases, then in course of construction.

The total number of patients admitted to the Armory Emergency Hospital was 192, of which number 132 were males and60 were females. Ninety-four of the patients were pneumonia cases, and of these sixty-six died. Three died from influenza. Thirty-five patients died within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital. The largest number of patients admitted in one day was eighteen—on October 17. The largest number of patients in the hospital on any one day was 62; the largest number of deaths on any one day was seven, and the largest number discharged on any one day was fourteen. Eighty-six of the patients were under thirty years of age.

Of the 192 patients received into the Armory Emergency Hospital 102 were from Wilkes-Barré; 20 from Edwardsville; 22 from Swoyerville; 7 from Ashley; 6 from Plymouth; 5 each from Kingston and Miners Mills; 4 each from Askam, Parsons and Forty Fort; 3 from Maltby; 2 each from Larksville, Sugar Notch, Nanticoke and Buttonwood; 1 each from Plainsville and Dorranceton.

The Plains Emergency Hospital was closed on November 18, at which time Lieut. H. R. Lipscomb, U.S.A., was the physician in charge, and Miss May Conlon, a Graduate Nurse, was the chief nurse. Five different physicians (not more than one at any given time) had served on the staff, together with four Graduate Nurses, three practical nurses, six volunteer nurses, one medical student, three orderlies and three enlisted men. Fifty patients were admitted (31 influenza cases, 18 pneumonia cases and one case of croup), and of this number thirteen of the pneumonia patients died—three of them within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

The Dupont Emergency Hospital was closed on December 3, at which time Dr. James S. Dixon was the physician in charge, and Miss Bessie Fadden, Graduate Nurse, was the chief nurse—she having succeeded Miss Herman on November 19. There had been on the staff four Graduate Nurses, five practical nurses (who worked part of the time), two sanitary detachments, and a number of Sisters of the Bernardine Order who served as volunteer nurses. One hundred and three patients were admitted to the hospital, of whom 83 were influenza and 20 were pneumonia cases. Twelve of the latter died—five of them within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

The following information, concerning influenza and pneumonia cases treated in some of the permanent hospitals located in the 5th District, has been derived from official reports made to the County Medical Inspector, covering the period from October 1, 1918, to January 1, 1919.

Wyoming Valley Homœopathic Hospital: Total number of influenza cases, 68; pneumonia cases, 55; total number of deaths, 27.

Mercy Hospital: Total number of influenza cases, 133; pneumonia cases, 131; total number of deaths, 87—including 22 who died within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Wilkes-Barré City Hospital: Total number of cases, 457, comprising 223 influenza cases and 234 influenza-pneumonia cases. Two hundred and thirty-four of the number were male and 223 were female patients. The total number of deaths was 135. Of the members of the hospital staff, 72 contracted pneumonia at the hospital, and four of them died.

Pittston Hospital: Total number of influenza cases, 67 (males, 26; females, 41); pneumonia cases, 32, of which 13 terminated fatally.

State Hospital at Hazleton: Total number of influenza patients, 275; pneumonia patients, 216, of whom 113 died.

Berwick Hospital: Total number of influenza cases, 113; pneumonia cases, 25; total number of deaths, 16.

On November 18 the number of cases of influenza-pneumonia in Wilkes-Barré had increased to such an alarming degree that the municipal authorities imposed another quarantine ban, closing all amusement houses and prohibiting public assemblages. Eleven days later this ban was removed, although the daily average of new cases of influenza and pneumonia totaled about thirty-five. The public schools of the city, however, having been closed about two months, were not re-opened until December 4, although at that time about eighteen new influenza cases a day were being reported in Wilkes-Barré. Conditions in other parts of the County seemed to be improving.

On December 15, owing to the large increase in the number ofinfluenza cases in Wilkes-Barré, the municipal authorities ordered the closing of all schools except the City High School and private schools of a corresponding grade. Also, children under fourteen years of age were forbidden to attend theatres and motion-picture shows, to ride in public conveyances and to visit stores. The sessions of Sunday Schools were also directed to be discontinued. The epidemic seemed to be particularly prevalent among children.

One hundred and four cases of influenza in Wilkes-Barré were reported on December 17, and the next day the municipal authorities imposed additional quarantine restrictions, the chief of which was that persons in quarantined houses—excepting physicians, and others given special permits—should not enter or leave such houses.

On December 19 the General Committee held a meeting, which was attended by the Health Officers of Wilkes-Barré, Dorranceton and Hanover. Chairman Brown of the Coöperation Committee reported that up to that date there had been 2,872 deaths from influenza and pneumonia in Luzerne County, 345 of which had occurred in Wilkes-Barré. The County Medical Inspector briefly outlined the situation in the County, and stated that in some cases officials were not reporting the true conditions in their localities.

At a meeting of the General Committee held on December 21 the County Medical Inspector stated that the conditions in the various communities in the 5th District were such that the Acting Commissioner of the State Department of Health was not inclined to order any further quarantine ban, unless requested to do so by the authorities of the respective communities. Dr. Clark, of the Bureau of Health of Wilkes-Barré, reported that the situation in the city during the last four days had been better than for some time previously—only 35 new cases having been reported. He said that so far in the month 1,020 cases had been reported, while in November only 825 cases had been reported. More children and fewer adults were being attacked by the disease.

Mayor Kosek stated that he was averse to crippling the business of the community, but he felt that everything possible should be done to stamp out the epidemic. He said he was in favor of giving the matter considerable publicity, and urged that officials inthe outlying communities should be asked to coöperate with the city authorities in the enforcement of regulations.

Resolutions were then adopted to the effect that any further plan for fighting the epidemic, which should be adopted, should be enforced vigorously until all danger had passed; that places of amusement should be closed to children; that public funerals and overcrowding at public gatherings should be prevented. The following resolution, offered by Dr. S. P. Mengel, was then unanimously adopted:

“Resolved, That this committee endorses the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Health of the City of Wilkes-Barré, and that we ask for the strict enforcement of the same, and that we pledge coöperation in aiding the authorities to bring about such enforcement; and further, that we call upon the entire public, as well as the officials of all communities in Luzerne County, for their coöperation in reducing the number of cases of influenza by obeying to the letter all rules and regulations adopted by the Wilkes-Barré Board of Health; and we also ask the coöperation of every newspaper in Luzerne County in bringing this matter to the attention of the people.”

On December 23 Mayor Kosek of Wilkes-Barré made an official announcement to the people of the city, to the effect that, if they would not voluntarily observe the reasonable quarantine regulations which had been adopted by the city authorities, he would impose a quarantine that would be the most far-reaching and absolute that had yet been ordered, and this without regard to what interests might be thereby affected.

At this time the officers of the Bureau of Health of the city were firmly opposed to the lifting of the ban with respect to public dances, cabarets, Sunday School sessions, and other public assemblages during the approaching holiday season. However, about the first of January, 1919, the ban against moving-picture houses was lifted, and on the 10th of the month the remaining restrictions of the quarantine were removed, and Sunday Schools and the public and private schools of the city resumed their sessions.

The following table, compiled from official records and reports, indicates the total number of known cases of influenza and pneumonia, and the total number of deaths therefrom, that occurred in Luzerne County from October 1, 1918, to January 1, 1919.

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