Take Care and Keep Cheerful

‘Take Care and

Keep Cheerful’

The Great War, which came to an end in 1918, saw about 16 million people die as a result of the 4 year conflict. However a new, silent enemy had already infiltrated the world and began affecting the young, fit members of society. An enemy that would take about 50 to 100 million lives across the entire world by the start of the roaring 20s!

This enemy arrived in 3 waves and went by numerous names including The Sweating Sickness and the Blue Death. The Spanish Flu was the most common, after the fact the King of Spain had died from it in the early months of the Pandemic. Some people spread the rumour that the Influenza outbreak was a biological weapon designed by the Germans to win the war. Today we know it was H1N1 and probably came to Europe via an American Army Camp in Kansas.

War, followed by the Peace and Armistice gatherings, drew people together and fuelled the spread. The mass movement of demobilised soldiers, repatriated Prisoners of War and the wounded from abroad, travelling in overcrowded transports all added to the worrying picture that was developing.

Major E. C. Hawkshaw R.A. wrote an article for the local press entitled ‘’Fighting the so-called Influenza”. He said ‘There is in my mind, little doubt that the cause of it all is brought into the County by soldiers from our many fronts...’

As the War was coming to a conclusion, the Flu began to appear in Worcestershire. The Medical Officers of Health began to issue notices and the local papers began to pick up on the rise of the illness. One reader of the Worcester Daily Times said ‘Surely there has been enough death, suffering and mourning caused by this cruel war, without allowing an epidemic like this to rage in the City and County…..If the Medical Officers of Health has not the power, I take it the Mayor and the Corporation who are the governing body of the City, should do so at once.’

In the early days, advice consisted of ‘Taking Care’ and ‘Keep Cheerful’. This soon changed to a list of rules which included; no spitting, sitting outside on trams and using a handkerchief when coughing and sneezing. In the Courts, Entries, and sprawling slums of Worcester, Kidderminster and other industrial areas, the rules were almost impossible to follow! Damaged windows and people sleeping in cellars prevented them from ventilating rooms with fresh air! Avoiding overcrowded areas and shared spaces was another impossible rule.

The outbreak then forced the authorities across Worcestershire to impose stricter rules on places like theatres and music halls. The advice was usually to ventilate venues between shows and reduce the time of shows. The sick were asked to stay at home and in some cases schools had to close! Doctors were also encouraged to wear masks when dealing with patients. Information was passed around in leaflets, posters and across the County in the numerous local newspapers.

Dr Fosbrooke in Evesham advised ‘Overcrowding in dwellings, the aggregation of large numbers of persons in one room or in assembly rooms, and places of entertainment should be avoided.’ the effects of industrial warfare, immediately stepped into the new front line at home. The Worcester Daily Times described their work; ‘They are working from early morning till midnight... busier than they ever have been since the beginning of the war.’

Dr Read, the City Medical Officer of Health for Worcester was very worried by the end of 1918 and said ‘The Influenza that was now raging in the City is widespread and Severe…. it ranks with a plague in long past days.’

Modern research shows that the nation was probably weaker than it had been due to the food shortages and rationing that had been brought in towards the end of the War. Reduced vitamin A, B12, C and D would leave people open to illness. Some doctors recommended fortifying drinks such as Whisky (in moderation), Horlicks and the most common - taking copious amounts of Bovril!

By the start of 1920, 1,663 Worcestershire people had died from the Spanish Flu. Across Britain the Death Toll stood at a ¼ Million.

Sometimes we don’t learn fast enough from History, however one thing that is clear is that humans have faced wars, famine and plague since the dawn of time and will always emerge stronger than ever before. As we move into 2022, let’s hope we are all on the road to recovery. n By Paul Harding Discover History Facebook and YouTube - Discover History Instagram and Twitter -DiscoverHISTPH www.discover-history.co.uk

Discover History is an award winning education and Living History Performance Company based in Worcester. They specialise in the local history of Worcestershire and deliver school workshops and history days, living history performances and talks across Britain.