Quarantine? Worked great last time around

A “FIRM HAND” ON THE SPANISH FLU: Dr. Andrew Henderson, nurse Margaret Henderson (right) and Powell River’s entire medical team kept the 1918-19 epidemic contained. Just nine locals died. Worldwide, 50-100 million succumbed to the illness, including a deadlier second wave.

BY THE LATE ARTHUR C. DUNN

“Drs. Henderson & Marlatt performed miracles, and how they kept going is the greatest miracle of them all. Dr. Henderson was Health Officer at the time and took hold of the town with a firm hand at the height of the epidemic. Everyone was compelled to wear gauze masks over the mouth and nose when on the street or when likely to come in contact with other people. These masks were frequently sprayed with Lysol to discourage the flu germs . . . eventually the epidemic petered out and we were left with the memories of the most tragic period in our history.

I remember the deaths, I remember the trying conditions under which we laboured and the intense fear of many people. But my outstanding memory is the great service rendered to the people and the unselfish devotion to duty of Dr. Henderson and my good friend Dr. Marlatt.”

- from the website, drandrewhenderson.wordpress.com by Ken McMillan, who is Dr. Henderson’s great-grandson.