The Flu That Flew
The article describes an influenza epidemic at the Teachers College. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: "The Flu that Flew," Training School Quarterly , Volume 9, pp. 362-364.
Accompanying the article is an excerpt from Robert Wright's 6th Biennial Report to the Board of Trustees regarding the flu epidemic.
Citation is:Wright, Robert. "6th Biennial Report to Trustees," ECTTS Board of Trustees Minute Book 1, November 15, 1918.
One day some one opened the window at the Teachers College and a little bird flew in. Miss Wilson was sent for at once to identify the little creature, and to the surprise of every one she said his name was "Flu."
A great confusion was caused among the students at once because several years ago this creature was here in school and everyone had heard what a terrible time they had as a result of his visit; there was also another time when this epidemic was all over the town, and everywhere in the state. So Doctor Laughinghouse at once shut us up in quarantine and we were very fortunate in not having a case of the disease. We paid dearly for it. We were shut in for nine weeks.
This "Flu" scare which came last was only a gnat bite compared to the first epidemic. While only a few girls are still in school that were here during the epidemic of 1918, the story has come down to everyone what a hard time they had to go through with. Of course the sudden attack of this creature caused a great confusion among the whole student body. At first there were many discouraging letters written home which stirred up the home folks, making matters worse than they really were. Letters and telegrams at once poured into Mr. Wright's office like showers of rain.
Mr. Wright immediately called the student body together and had Doctor Laughinghouse to give us a talk. He told us the truth and that only, that it was the "flu" but in a mild form, and there were not any serious cases in school. As there were many cases all over the country, each girl was advised not to go home or spend any weekends away. If they should happen to get sick, they would be better protected here, as we had all conveniences and could care for them better. Every preparation was made in case the epidemic should grow worse. Four trained nurses were engaged besides what we already have. This was done in order that each girl might get the best of attention. This was an advantage over the first attack because we ahd nurses this last time whereas in the first case the teachers had to do the nursing while the girls had to do the dish-washing and waiting on the teachers.
This last time the girls would be going around carrying on their work as usual and the first thing you would hear, -- "another had tumbled in bed." They tumbled in, two and three at a time, until the infirmary was filled. Mrs. Beckwith at once had the girls down on the first floor in the east wing of the west dormitory to move and those rooms were also occupied by the sick girls.
The girls that had the "flu" and those that had the sympathetic "flu" were sent to the infirmary at once. When one was caught sneezing, she was snatched up whether she wanted to go or not, and given a big dose of salts or something worse. This was done in order to get everyone in time.
Although we were not quarantined a we once thought we would be, it got to be a very serious question to us because it was almost time for the "debate", and most of the debaters were sick; we thought at once it would have to be postponed but we were very grateful in not having to do so at the end.
After meal times we well ones would slip around to the windows to have a little "chat" with the girls. The girls would tell us what a good time they were having, eating everything good and sleeping all they pleased. This news made some girls sick so they tumbled in with the sympathetic flu, thinking they would have a big time but the joke was played on them because they were given big doses of medicine.
Before it was realized by all that we had the "flu" in school, it flew out the window and those that did have it became so interested in the affairs on the outside, they were soon well again and back on the job.
The "flu" flew in and out again before we hardly knew it was here.
Attie Bray, '22
Health Conditions
The health conditions are entirely satisfactory. This fall for the first time, we here had an epidemic. The influenza was in epidemic form throughout the state. We had 141 cases in the school, but we had no serious complications -- no pneumonia and in short time the school was again moving along normally. We did not suspend class work.Conditions in our state were so bad that it was impossible to secure the services of additional trained nurses. The members of our faculty went into the infirmary and that part of the our dormitory set aside for the sick and took charge undet the nurse's and doctor's directives and gave the sick every attention they needed. The well students worked with the others in attending the sick, yet teachers and students met their classes regularly. I have never seen a more beautiful spirit manifested by human beings anywhere at any time and I wish to put a word of commendation of their services in my report.
