Today in Wheeling History: October 2--First case of Spanish Flu diagnosed in Wheeling (1918).
The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic significantly impacted Wheeling, West Virginia. Despite its name, the Spanish flu did not originate in Spain. It was called "Spanish flu" because Spain, being neutral in World War I, freely reported on the outbreak while wartime censors suppressed news of the illness in other countries to maintain morale. The exact origin of the Spanish flu remains uncertain, but some evidence suggests it may have started in the United States, possibly in Kansas, while other theories propose origins in China or Europe. The first documented case was in March 1918 in Kansas, but the virus may have been circulating earlier. The first case in Wheeling was diagnosed on October 2, 1918. On October 6, Dr. M. B. Williams, Health Commissioner for the City, proposed an order to close all places of public entertainment, schools, churches, and other public institutions. This order was approved by the City Council, which also instructed the Chief of Police to enforce anti-spitting ordinances. Two hospitals, Ohio Valley General Hospital (OVGH) and Wheeling Hospital, treated influenza patients. OVGH, under Superintendent Pliny O. Clark, took the lead, admitting influenza patients immediately after the first diagnosis. By October 17, OVGH had 17 influenza patients, with two deaths from pneumonia. The hospitals quickly became overwhelmed, leading City Manager G. O. Nagle to suggest expanding capacity by enclosing large porches at both hospitals. Nurses played a crucial role in fighting the pandemic. Alice M. Young, a Wheeling nurse working at Camp Sevier in South Carolina, died from influenza on October 5. By December, 19 OVGH nurses were ill with influenza, and one, Miss Groves, died of pneumonia on October 22. The pandemic also led to a shortage of nursing students in the following year. The city implemented quarantine measures and social distancing, though enforcement was inconsistent. On October 25, neighboring Ohio towns of Martins Ferry and Bridgeport initiated a quarantine against Wheeling residents, requiring permits to cross the Ohio River. This led to tensions and was seen as ineffective, with U.S. Surgeon General Rupert Blue personally intervening to end the "squabbling" on November 21. Local businesses proposed various remedies. Baer's Drug Store started using "sanitary paper cups" at its soda fountains, while the Wheeling Traction Company fumigated streetcars with eucalyptus oil. Dubious treatments like Bulgarian Blood Tea and Nostriola balm were advertised as flu remedies. The pandemic had significant economic impacts on Wheeling. By October 22, the Wheeling Intelligencer reported that business in the city had slowed considerably due to the flu and quarantine measures. However, by late December, the situation had improved enough for schools to reopen after eleven weeks of closure, signaling the end of the main quarantine period in Wheeling. While exact death tolls are unclear, reports indicate that from October 5-17, there were 4 deaths in Wheeling, and from October 15-November 15, there were 75 deaths in Ohio County. Additionally, Wheeling Hospital alone reported treating 567 influenza patients in 1918, of whom 94 died.
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/Mta51), Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/lm1uZ), The Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/yrvbpevb), (https://shorturl.at/bbdQO) (https://shorturl.at/ysD7W), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yu85tpeu)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer
The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic significantly impacted Wheeling, West Virginia. Despite its name, the Spanish flu did not originate in Spain. It was called "Spanish flu" because Spain, being neutral in World War I, freely reported on the outbreak while wartime censors suppressed news of the illness in other countries to maintain morale. The exact origin of the Spanish flu remains uncertain, but some evidence suggests it may have started in the United States, possibly in Kansas, while other theories propose origins in China or Europe. The first documented case was in March 1918 in Kansas, but the virus may have been circulating earlier. The first case in Wheeling was diagnosed on October 2, 1918. On October 6, Dr. M. B. Williams, Health Commissioner for the City, proposed an order to close all places of public entertainment, schools, churches, and other public institutions. This order was approved by the City Council, which also instructed the Chief of Police to enforce anti-spitting ordinances. Two hospitals, Ohio Valley General Hospital (OVGH) and Wheeling Hospital, treated influenza patients. OVGH, under Superintendent Pliny O. Clark, took the lead, admitting influenza patients immediately after the first diagnosis. By October 17, OVGH had 17 influenza patients, with two deaths from pneumonia. The hospitals quickly became overwhelmed, leading City Manager G. O. Nagle to suggest expanding capacity by enclosing large porches at both hospitals. Nurses played a crucial role in fighting the pandemic. Alice M. Young, a Wheeling nurse working at Camp Sevier in South Carolina, died from influenza on October 5. By December, 19 OVGH nurses were ill with influenza, and one, Miss Groves, died of pneumonia on October 22. The pandemic also led to a shortage of nursing students in the following year. The city implemented quarantine measures and social distancing, though enforcement was inconsistent. On October 25, neighboring Ohio towns of Martins Ferry and Bridgeport initiated a quarantine against Wheeling residents, requiring permits to cross the Ohio River. This led to tensions and was seen as ineffective, with U.S. Surgeon General Rupert Blue personally intervening to end the "squabbling" on November 21. Local businesses proposed various remedies. Baer's Drug Store started using "sanitary paper cups" at its soda fountains, while the Wheeling Traction Company fumigated streetcars with eucalyptus oil. Dubious treatments like Bulgarian Blood Tea and Nostriola balm were advertised as flu remedies. The pandemic had significant economic impacts on Wheeling. By October 22, the Wheeling Intelligencer reported that business in the city had slowed considerably due to the flu and quarantine measures. However, by late December, the situation had improved enough for schools to reopen after eleven weeks of closure, signaling the end of the main quarantine period in Wheeling. While exact death tolls are unclear, reports indicate that from October 5-17, there were 4 deaths in Wheeling, and from October 15-November 15, there were 75 deaths in Ohio County. Additionally, Wheeling Hospital alone reported treating 567 influenza patients in 1918, of whom 94 died.
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/Mta51), Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/lm1uZ), The Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/yrvbpevb), (https://shorturl.at/bbdQO) (https://shorturl.at/ysD7W), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yu85tpeu)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer
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