[from “1918 Pandemic Influenza in Maine.” Maine Department of Health and Human Services.(edited for length and clarity)]*
Tuesday, October 1
On account of the epidemic of Spanish influenza and the fact that five students who arrived this morning were found to be afflicted with the disease, the opening of Colby College has been postponed for 10 days. Students whose homes are less than 100 miles from Waterville will return to their homes during that period. The remainder will be taken care of on campus.
The Augusta Board of Health yesterday ordered all public schools, churches of every denomination, theatres, and the public library to be closed until further notice. Children shall be excluded from public streets unless accompanied by parents or proper persons in charge.
The Portland Board of Health extended the public gathering orders to ban funerals. Gauze masks are being distributed in the board of health offices to nurses and physicians to wear as a precaution.
“I don’t know when I’ve been more angry,” said Chairman Epstein of the Lewiston board of health this morning, “than when I read in a local paper that there are 400 or 500 cases of influenza in these cities. We only have an official tally of 27.”
As to the closing of the Lewiston theaters – this is a problem which does not affect Auburn, all of the theaters being in Lewiston. On the other hand, there are those who point out that general conditions in Portland and Bangor, where the theaters have closed, are not parallel with those in Lewiston. Portland and Bangor are essentially cities of homes, which are reasonably well heated.
Lewiston is to a considerable degree a city of tenements – of individual rooms, occupied by factory workers who have no homes of their own. And nine out of ten of these rooms are not heated. Thousands, literally, go to the theater at this time of year to keep warm. With the theaters closed to them, what are they to do? It is a serious matter to them. And of course, sitting in unheated rooms at this time of year would mean the spread of many colds.
Wednesday, October 2
By authority of officials of the two cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the schools, churches, theaters, pool rooms, dance halls, business college – everything but Bates College and the wage-earning industries – will be closed, beginning Friday morning, to prevent the spread of the influenza epidemic. This was decided at 3:15 this afternoon at a meeting in Mayor Lemaire’s Office.
The difference of opinion regarding the theaters extended to the schools. Many advised that they be closed. But, others – including the school authorities – thought it better that they stay open. Children are much safer in school than in unheated tenements or on the street.
Thursday, October 3
Rules To Avoid Influenza, by the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army:
Avoid needless crowding – influenza is a crowd disease
Smother your cough and sneezes – others do not want the germs which you would throw away.
Your nose, not your mouth, was made to breathe through – get the habit.
Remember the three Cs – a clean mouth, clean skin, and clean clothes.
Your fate may be in your own hands – wash your hands before eating.
Don’t use a napkin, spoon, fork, glass, or cup which has been used by another person and not washed.
The Red Cross is mobilizing the City of Portland nurses to help in caring for the many who have been stricken with the influenza. They urge those who have maids or other employees who are willing to go into homes to take care of the sick and manage the household affairs, to release them for this patriotic service.
Friday, October 4
On account of the number of cases of influenza among people of the Italian quarter of the city, the Italian church at 235 Fore Street has been opened and beds have been installed there for the use of persons who have been living in houses where the disease prevails. This was arranged as a matter of precaution against spread of the epidemic. More beds, bed clothing, mattresses, etc. are needed.
At the Elks Building in Lewiston, women are making gauze masks for physicians and nurses in the present influenza epidemic. The only way to stop the spread of the influenza is to close churches, schools, theaters, and public institutions in every community where the epidemic has developed, in the opinion of U. S. Surgeon General. “There is no way to put a nation-wide closing order into effect,” he said today, “as this is a matter which is up to the individual communities. In some states, the State Board of Health has this power, but in many others it is a matter of municipal regulation.”
The State Public Safety Committee: “Please telephone at once to the chairman of the Public Safety Committee in each town in your county.
Ask the chairmen with all possible promptness to consult with the American Red Cross organization in the town, and if none, to act independently. Canvass your town thoroughly for women who will volunteer as nurses in the present emergency. It is not necessary that they be experienced or trained nurses. You can include women who have had practical experience in the home.
Ask each if she can and will volunteer for nursing in this State or elsewhere at regular nurses’ wages with her traveling expenses paid…”
Saturday, October 5
Yesterday the Maine Fuel Administrator announced, that in view of the serious epidemic, he would authorize the limited use of automobiles tomorrow, Sunday, so people might get into the country and away from the crowded infected districts of the city. But the Federal Fuel Administrator objected and the announcement was rescinded.
As of late yesterday 375 cases of influenza had been reported to the Portland Board of Health. While this is the largest number reported in any one day, physicians and health officials were not alarmed, for it was no more than they had a right to expect from the weather conditions the day previous. With clear, cool weather and plenty of sunshine, it is expected the number of new cases will take a downward trend.
The most drastic orders ever issued by the City of Portland were promulgated yesterday: To further prevent the spread of influenza the closing order is hereby extended to include all indoor gatherings at churches and other places of public worship, all lodge meetings, society meetings, club meetings, such parts of building as used for pool rooms, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, and to prohibit the serving of ice cream, soda or other soft drinks so called in other than individual paper containers that cannot be used a second time.
By Order of the Board of Health: All churches will be closed tomorrow, the masses at the Catholic churches will be held in the open air. This is the first time this has happened in Maine.
On Saturday morning the Lewiston Board of Health, followed by a conference with Mayor Lemaire in his office, decided it would make no effort to prohibit outdoor masses tomorrow by the Catholic churches.
Lewiston Health Board Secretary Epstein, although acquiescing in the decision, expressed his personal opinion that there should be no gatherings of any kind. He cautioned that any public gathering, in the present crisis, would be unwise – a violation of the spirit of the order closing all churches and places of public resort, if not of its letter.
After consulting with State medical officials, Mayor Lemaire learned local authorities could make such an order.
The authorities in Lisbon Falls have made arrangements to convert the Columbia Hall into a temporary hospital. 400 cases of influenza have developed, a large number of those afflicted being employees of the Pejepscot Paper Company.
Monday, October 7
The State Commissioner of Health, said that the epidemic of Spanish influenza, in his opinion, is gradually increasing in the State, but not to an alarming extent. Evidence of the malady is brought more to the attention of the health department by the new ruling of the State Health Council approved by the Governor and Council, requiring doctors to report their cases to the local boards of health.
In other words, there might have been 100 cases of influenza in a community which had not been reported until after the rules adopted by the Public Health Council had become effective.
The Board of Health in Waterville has closed all places of amusement due to the epidemic of Spanish influenza. It was understood that on Saturday evening many from Waterville went to Fairfield, where the moving picture establishment and the pool rooms did a thriving business. No closing order has yet reached Fairfield, but it would seem apparent that Waterville people in doing such a thing would be endangering those they meet up there as well as themselves.
Tuesday, October 8
Justices of the Maine Supreme Court have fallen into line with other officials in the matter of combating further spread of influenza, by suspending or postponing the current terms of court.
Governor Milliken, requested that every precaution be taken to prevent further spread of the influenza epidemic,including that all places of amusement be closed.
“However,” he explained, “Schools and churches should not be treated as unnecessary public gatherings. They are on a different footing from non-essential amusements. They should be closed only when, in the judgment of the local health authorities, the danger in keeping them open over balances the need of their continuance.”
“Unecessary travel should be avoided. There is no occasion for panic among our citizens. Maine has, so far, been fortunate and the disease has not gained great headway except in a few localities. The U.S. and Maine officials are working together efficiently to aid stricken communities to prevent further spread of the disease.”
The State’s Health Commisioner noted that most of the influenza cases in this state are traceable to people who have gone to Massachusetts, particularly to Camp Devens, and brought the germ of the disease back with them.
At the October meeting of the Rockland City Council, A. S. Black, president of the Maine Theatres, Inc., protested against the closing of theaters, churches, and schools, when the board of health is apparently neglecting other where the dreaded influenza can gain a foothold. Mr. Black listed a number of places which had not been asked to close: public funerals, soda fountains, restaurants. “We’ll take our medicine with a smile, no matter how bitter the medicine is, “said Mr. Black, “but we won’t smile unless a fair deal is being given and all are being closed alike.”
Thursday, October 10
Portland Editorial: In their efforts to control the present epidemic of influenza the Portland Board of Health has adopted certain rules and regulations: closing of schools, theatres, churches, bowling alleys, billiard rooms, dance halls, lodges, and unnecessary gatherings; as well as requiring sanitary disposable containers for the selling of ice cream and soft drinks. However, there are a number of places where not the slightest attention appears to be paid: Beer saloons have been ignored. They are over crowded, glasses are shared and hardly washed, and men freely spit on the floor. Someone is responsible for permitting these conditions to exist. Who is it? What is the reason for these places being freely open?
For nearly three hours, late Wednesday afternoon, clergymen and physicians of Lewiston discussed the influenza epidemic and the vitally important question of whether or not the churches shall be required to close. The State Health Commisioner noted: Although the Spanish Influenza has not taken too much of a hold here yet, I believe we have waited too long to close all public gatherings, including churches. We have learned from Boston that we need to act before the epidemic takes off. Clergymen argued that church services are “essential” and should not be be close.
When the Board Chairman was questioned by the Lewiston Evening Journal, he said the board adheres firmly to its original decision that all churches must close. When asked what the board will do in case of refusal, the chairman refused to say another word.
Friday, October 11
The Camden Congregational Church vestry has been converted to a hospital and is full of cot beds for the care of the sickness in town.
Saturday, October 12
In Rumford McCarthy Hospital is exclusively for influenza cases. An emergency hospital to care for additional influenza cases is being set up at the parochial building. The town will bear the expenses and be assisted by the Red Cross. The sisters in the convent are also working in the hospital.
The Portland Board of Health today passed an order, later approved by Supreme Court Associate Justice Scott Wilson, providing for the closing of churches, theaters, and other places of public assembly in event of an epidemic or a threatened epidemic.
Instructions to hold masses in all the Catholic churches of Portland were then rescinded by Bishop Louis S. Walsh, in deference to a written request by Mayor Clarke and the “very reasonable judgment of the medical profession.”
The Bar Harbor Hospital, the isolated hospital, and the hall in the Odd Fellows Building, converted into an emergency hospital, are completely filled with patients comprised mostly from the local naval reserve station.
Monday, October 14
Lewiston and Auburn physicians are working practically day and night, while the number of people needing their attention steadily grows. The doctors are overworked; it is impossible to find help for affected homes where. Whole families are ill with the disease, with no one to care for them.
All Lewiston Catholic churches held indoor services yesterday, disregarding the closing order of the board of health. Out of door services were held by the Catholic church in Auburn, in compliance with a request of the Auburn Board of Health.
It is understood the Lewiston health board will take steps tomorrow to get the necessary authority to enforce closing orders in this city.
Portland Editorial: Portland Mayor Clarke and Bishop Walsh are to be congratulated on the happy outcome of the ruling of the Board of Health closing the churches. The universally recognized American standard of the greatest good to the greatest number, controlled the actions of all concerned and what appeared for a time as likely to develop into an unfortunate incident proved to be a rainbow of promise for a bigger, better, brighter, more promising Portland.
Tuesday, October 15
Rockland area Red Cross is playing a great part locally in fighting the epidemic. In addition to other work, the women have been busy making gas masks, dish towels, holders, bed socks, stockings, and other articles for which there is great need in the afflicted homes.
Young women go into the homes where sickness has prostrated the inmates and busy themselves washing dishes, cleaning the house, and doing many services for the sick. Similar work by these helpful young women is done also at the Knox Hospital, washing dishes, arranging trays for the sick, helping in the wards, etc. Through the Home Service department, soup and bread is furnished the sick in their homes, confirming what the Red Cross means in its thousand activities.
Wednesday, October 16
Secretary Goldthwait of the Bangor Board of Health announced a total of 787 cases of grip in Bangor, although he noted that many cases are going unreported, given that only a few doctors are reporting. Eastern Maine General Hospital and private hospitals are now not able to accommodate many patients.
St. John School State Street, Bangor (2003)
Rev. Patrick J. Garrity, rector of St. John’s Catholic Church, is giving the use of the girls’ catholic high school, which will be able to care for about 30 additional patients.
The Sisters of Mercy will care for patients at the school.
Thursday, October 17
State Health Commissioner Dr. Bristol asked on Wednesday that $25,000 be appropriated from the emergency war fund, the state epidemic fund practically having been exhausted, and that the governor appoint a committee, representing the state health department, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Red Cross, and the Maine Committee on Public Safety to have control of the situation and fight the epidemic. Governor Milliken agreed.
Friday, October 18
The State Prison in Thomaston reports 80 cases of influenza with eight deaths.
In order to meet the unusual conditions arising from the influenza epidemic in Rockland, the Narragansett Hotel has been opened as an emergency hospital, for the care of all classes and creeds, and without reference to financial circumstances.
Several physicians spoke in favor of the new emergency hospital, noting that getting the patients concentrated would help provide for their needs, including tending to their sickness, food, and clothing.
In order to carry out the work set in motion by the general emergency epidemic by the general epidemic committee of the state, the Augusta Red Cross has organized a special epidemic committee. Augusta Mayor Swift will have charge of procuring supplies. Mr. Viles will be in charge of nurses, canteen unit, motor unity, and volunteer nurses. Dr. Coombs will be in charge of supplying doctors and nurses, and is arranging for an emergency hospital. Mrs. Hichborn will be in charge of the collection and distribution of food. The committee’s work is headquartered in the Augusta Trust Bank building.
Saturday, October 19
The relief work movement, inaugurated by the Bangor Daily News Friday, of a volunteer force of helpers to those in distress on account of the prevailing epidemic had an immediate effect, many offers of assistance in various ways being received at Mayor Woodman’s office.
Several women volunteered as nurses, while many others who could not engage in such work offered their services to cook for those who need aid in that line, and others will give part of their time for cooking and general housework.
A large number of automobiles have been pledged for conveying helpers to and from houses and running errands, and will be available day and night. Mayor Woodman, asked for reports to his office about the families that may be in distress.
Monday, October 21
Mental diseases are likely to develop among persons who have had influenza, according to physicians. Dr. Bailey expresses the opinion that in cases where certain forms of insanity have been dormant, the influenza germ is likely to accelerate extreme emotions. Cases of mental lapse due to the epidemic are already being treated in the psychopathic hospitals.
In accordance with an order issued by the Board of Health, all of the churches in Lewiston remained closed Sunday. Out of door masses were held by the Catholic churches. A week ago all Catholic churches in Lewiston held indoor services, disregarding the health board’s order.
The emergency hospital in Rockland at the Narragansett Hotel now has 40 patients. Dr. William Ellingwood as its resident physician, and Miss Ethel Bryant, as matron, are in charge of the institution. The hospital’s needs are also being met by an emergency hospital committee made up by women from the eight churches in town. School Superintendent West then placed at the committee’s disposal the service of the city’s school teachers, furnishing relays of workers for the office, kitchen, and sterilizing department. The domestic science teachers are in charge of the kitchen.
The Courier Gazette has been reporting on the needs for materials, and the citizens of Rockland have responded with great generosity. The articles called for especially were babies’ cribs, children’s night dresses, blankets, old linen, towels, sheets, and mattresses. Even the children of Rockland are doing their part, by sending their toys to the juvenile patients in the hospital.
Tuesday, October 22
The Maine Anti-Tuberculosis Association issues this pertinent warning:
“Spanish Influenza is undoubtedly due to lack of sunshine and fresh air, to dampness outdoors and in getting wet feet; and is spread by careless spitting, and by coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth. Therefore, the measure of our patriotism may be indicated just as truly by where we spit and how we cough or sneeze, as by the number of Liberty Bonds we purchase.
That which spreads influenza likewise spreads tuberculosis; and the methods of preventing the one are also effective with the other.”
The Maine Anti-Tuberculosis Association issues this pertinent warning:
“Spanish Influenza is undoubtedly due to lack of sunshine and fresh air, to dampness outdoors and in getting wet feet; and is spread by careless spitting, and by coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth. Therefore, the measure of our patriotism may be indicated just as truly by where we spit and how we cough or sneeze, as by the number of Liberty Bonds we purchase.
That which spreads influenza likewise spreads tuberculosis; and the methods of preventing the one are also effective with the other.”
Thursday, October 24
The influenza situation at Swan’s Island is very serious. There are 260 cases out of a population of 800, and there have been 10 deaths. The only doctor on the island, Dr. Gage, is assigned to government duty, and has asked to be relieved of this duty so he can return to the island and care for the sufferers.
Maine’s Health Commissioner, states that in general, the influenza conditions are improving in this state, but small towns along the coast and Aroostook are very hard hit.
The influenza situation in Portland has improved to such an extent that the board of health ordered the removal of the ban on public gatherings. There have been a total of over 8,200 cases of influenza reported there since September 24 with almost 200 deaths, but these records are incomplete, as many cases, especially early on, went unreported.
Additional resources
See also https://maineanencyclopedia.com/maine-influenza-september-1918/
* “1918 Pandemic Influenza in Maine.” Maine Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/documents/1918-pandemic-flu.pdf (accessed March, 3, 2020)