The Daily Gleaner, Editorial Page:
OCTOBER, 17, 1918.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
The Influenza Epidemic.
We believe that what is known as Spanish Influenza first appeared in epidemic and dangerous form among the Germans on the Western Front. It is understood to be practically a war malady: that is to say, it may have existed before—influenza always existed—but the peculiar conditions, sanitary and physical, created by the war have provided it with a most favourable milieu, have been as it were a hothouse of propagation for the germs. it was raging in America some time ago; and what has now made its appearance on the northside of this island is probably the Spanish Influenza, but we hope that only a mild form has manifested itself here.It has “downed” many people in Montego Bay and Port Antonio. The hospital in the latter place is full, workers in various stores and businesses are incapacitated. Some deaths have taken place and there may be more; but we are better equipped to deal with epidemics in these modern days and our expectation is that this outbreak of influenza will so be handled that it will speedily be chocked. The precautions to take against it should be as widely published as possible, and everyone in the island should follow the advice given, by the medical authorities. By our thus acting promptly and sensibly, the effects of the ailment will be greatly minimised. It is not like small-pox or bubonic plague or cholera, diseases with which our countries are periodically afflicted. Influenza, if properly taken in hand, is not so virulent as any of these. But it must not be neglected as "only a little cold"; we must not play with it. It can and will spread all over the island: we must, rid ourselves of it as quickly as possible. Every precaution must be duly observed. If we neglect this we shall pay the bitter penalty,
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
The Influenza Epidemic.
We believe that what is known as Spanish Influenza first appeared in epidemic and dangerous form among the Germans on the Western Front. It is understood to be practically a war malady: that is to say, it may have existed before—influenza always existed—but the peculiar conditions, sanitary and physical, created by the war have provided it with a most favourable milieu, have been as it were a hothouse of propagation for the germs. it was raging in America some time ago; and what has now made its appearance on the northside of this island is probably the Spanish Influenza, but we hope that only a mild form has manifested itself here.It has “downed” many people in Montego Bay and Port Antonio. The hospital in the latter place is full, workers in various stores and businesses are incapacitated. Some deaths have taken place and there may be more; but we are better equipped to deal with epidemics in these modern days and our expectation is that this outbreak of influenza will so be handled that it will speedily be chocked. The precautions to take against it should be as widely published as possible, and everyone in the island should follow the advice given, by the medical authorities. By our thus acting promptly and sensibly, the effects of the ailment will be greatly minimised. It is not like small-pox or bubonic plague or cholera, diseases with which our countries are periodically afflicted. Influenza, if properly taken in hand, is not so virulent as any of these. But it must not be neglected as "only a little cold"; we must not play with it. It can and will spread all over the island: we must, rid ourselves of it as quickly as possible. Every precaution must be duly observed. If we neglect this we shall pay the bitter penalty,