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-Barré City 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, parochial and 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 Practical Nurses (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]
Footnote 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 charge
until 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 and 60 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 of influenza
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 in the 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.
Community Total Total
Cases Deaths
Ashley Borough 391 43
Fairview Twp. 150 8
Avoca Borough 250 26
Courtdale Borough 32 8
Conyngham 300 42
Dallas Borough 25 5
Dorranceton Borough 357 80
(including Westmoor)
Duryea Borough 704 65
Edwardsville Borough 609 121
Exeter Borough 950 120
Forty Fort Borough 138 14
Freeland Boro. and 1,567 104
Foster Twp.
Hughestown Borough 169 7
Jeddo Borough 471 18
Kingston Borough 660 68
Kingston Twp. 25 4
Laflin Borough 84 0
Larksville Borough 594 82
Laurel Run Boro. 150 4
Luzerne Borough 520 44
Pringle Twp. 157 14
Miners Mills Borough 546 40
Nanticoke Borough 1,772 299
Slocum Twp. 63 6
Hanover Twp. 359 46
Newport Twp. 3,700 192
Nescopeck Twp. 165 17
New Columbus Borough 30 4
Parsons Borough 575 49
Plymouth Boro. and 1,559 95
Plymouth Twp.
Shickshinny Borough 275 25
Sugar Notch Borough 450 22
Wright Twp. 13 0
Dorrance Twp. 62 4
Swoyerville Boro. 2,000 81
Warrior Run Borough 132 15
West Hazleton Boro 479 53
West Pittston Boro 685 53
Exeter Twp. 0 1
West Wyoming Boro. 144 22
White Haven Borough 182 3
Wyoming Borough 325 30
Yatesville Borough 0 0
Hazleton 3,012 338
Hazle Twp. 790 77
Butler Twp. 74 6
Pittston, Pittston Twp. 1,366 261
and Jenkins Twp.
Wilkes-Barré 4,817 521
Wilkes-Barré Twp. 531 60
Bear Creek Twp. 5 2
Plains Twp. 1,629 133
Bucks Twp. 0 0
Nuangola Borough 0 0
──── ────
Grand totals 34,043 3,332
The following table sets forth the number of cases of influenza and
pneumonia treated, and the number of deaths occurring, in the Emergency
Hospitals in Luzerne County:
Wanamie 187 49
Exeter 169 42
Hazleton 109 43
Wilkes-Barré Armory 192 69
Nanticoke 151 41
Dupont 103 12
Plains 50 13
──── ────
Grand totals 961 269
The following detailed statement indicates very clearly the character
and amount of the work done for nurses and patients by the members of
the Red Cross Canteen of Wyoming Valley Chapter during the pandemic:
Number of portions served October 1,983
November 3,714
December 3,974
────
Total 9,671
Number of quarts of soup October 2,158
distributed
November 3,946
December 2,456
────
Total 8,560
Number of quarts of milk October 50
distributed
November 560
December 805
────
Total 1,415
Number of lunches packed October 532
for nurses
November 917
December 203
────
Total 1,652
Number of quarts of lemon October 20
syrup served
November 18
────
Total 38
Number of quarts of lemon October 51
jelly served
November 40
────
Total 91
Number of quarts of October 2
pineapple juice served
November 2
────
Total 4
Desserts were distributed in which the following articles were used:
Milk qts. 2,013
Gelatin qts. 295
Eggs doz. 335
Lemons doz. 42½
Rice lbs. 15
Vanilla qts. 9
Grape Juice bottles 4
Raspberry Juice bottle 1
Pineapple cans 4
Peaches can 1
Cocoa boxes 4
Junket Tablets boxes 2
Cornstarch boxes 155
Tapioca boxes 141
Gelatin boxes 202
Lemon Jello boxes 12
Sugar lbs. 316
Ice Cream qts. 56
Vegetables used October qts. 40
in soup
November qts. 40
December qts. 40
────
Total qts. 120
Rice used in October lbs. 26
soup
November lbs. 40
December lbs. 50
────
Total lbs. 116
Barley used in October lbs. 10
soup
November lbs. 3
December lbs. 10
────
Total lbs. 23
Spaghetti used October lbs. 5
in soup
November lbs. 46
December lbs. 50
────
Total lbs. 101
Number of influenza masks 200
given out (approximately)