"THE CASES ARE MOSTLY MILD, NO CAUSE FOR ALARM"

INFLUENZA HITS AMARILLO, FIFTH OF CITY'S POPULATION SICK

Amarillo, Texas (JFK+50) On February 27, 1926, Associated Press reports that "approximately 3000 persons" here in the city of Amarillo* "are sick with influenza**."  This represents one fifth of the population.

Fortunately, AP adds that the cases are mostly "mild" and are no cause for alarm.  No deaths have been reported as a result of the influenza epidemic.

Public schools, however, have been temporarily closed to disinfect classrooms.  They will reopen on Monday.

*Amarillo is located in the Texas panhandle & is gateway to Palo Duro State Park.  It is home of the American Quarter-horse Hall of Fame & Museum.  Its 2024 population 203,729.

**Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness spread by viruses causing fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and fatigue.  It commonly lasts 3 to 7 days.

SOURCE

"Fifth of Population In Amarillo, Tx., Ill of Influenza," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 27, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Route 66 Commemorative Water Tower

Amarillo, Texas

Photo by Cullen328

CC BY-SA 4.0

"ATTACK OF INFLUENZA DEVELOPED INTO PNEUMONIA"

FORMER TEXAS SENATOR CULBERSON DIES AT AGE SEVENTY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 19, 1925, former Texas senator Charles A. Culberson* died at his apartment here in the Nation's Capital.

Mr. Culberson suffered from an attack of influenza which quickly developed into pneumonia.  Having retired from the United States Senate in 1922, he used a wheelchair "in going about."

Funeral services are to be held in Fort Worth.

*Charles Allen Culberson (1855-1925) was born in Dadeville, Alabama & graduated from VMI in 1874 & the University of Virginia Law School in 1877.  CAC served as governor of Texas 1895-1899 & U.S. Senator 1899-1923.  He opposed the Ku Klux Klan.

SOURCE

"C.A. Culberson, 70, Ex-Senator, Dead," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 19, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Charles A. Culberson

1904

PD

"INFECTIOUS ORGANISMS TRANSMITTED HAND TO MOUTH"

MICHIGAN DOCTOR SAYS A 'FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE' CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH

Ann Arbor, Michigan (JFK+50) On March 18, 1925, Associated Press reports that the "friendly handshake" has been blamed for the spread of respiratory maladies, commonly known as influenza, in a statement released by the University of Michigan Health Service located here in Ann Arbor.

Dr. John Sundwall* states...

"The infectious organisms...are present in the discharges from the nose and mouth.  These...end up on the hands and (then) are transferred from person to person by a handshake."

AP says there has been several "mild cases" of the flu reported at the University of Michigan in the past couple of weeks.

*Dr. John Sundwell was professor of Hygiene and Public Health at the  University of Michigan & served as president of the American Association of School Physicians.

SOURCES

"Handshake Blamed For Flu Epidemics By Health Expert," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 18, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"School Physicians Vote; Dr. John Sundwall Is Re-elected President of Association," The New York Times, October 5, 1937, www.nytimes.com/

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The University of Michigan

Ann Arbor

Photo by Ken Lund

www.flickr.com/

"EXTRA REST BROUGHT A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT"

PRESIDENT HARDING RECOVERING FROM THE GRIPPE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+5o) On January 18, 1923, President Warren G. Harding "was feeling better" after "suffering from an attack of the grippe*."

The Seattle Star reports the President was not expected in the office today but would be doing "some work in his study."

Mr. Harding spent most of January 17th in bed and retired early.  The Star says that "the extra rest has brought a general improvement."

JFK+50 NOTE

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, influenza is a contagious viral infection which can lead to life-threatening complications.   The disease is spread by coughing & sneezing, or touching a contaminated surface.  A yearly dose of the flu vaccine is recommended in the fall.

*Grippe (French for influenza) was first used in 1776 & is an old-fashioned word for the flu--a virus characterized by fever, sore throat and headaches.  Victims of the virus are urged to spend the day in bed drinking tea.

SOURCES

"Flu," National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, www.nfid.org/

"Harding Condition Announced Better," The Seattle Star, Seattle, Washington, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Influenza Poster

Oakland Health Dept.

California Historical Society

www.picryl.com/