Moab, Utah, about the time ofthe infiuenza epidemic USHS collections.
The Influenza Epidemic of 1918: A Cultural Response BY ROBERT S. MCPHERSON
A s 1918 DREW TO A CLOSE, THE BLOODY ANNALS OF World War I bccame a part of history and a prelude to the fiope for peace. Another enemy, however, stalked the living, spreading death throughout the world. Even in countries that were technologically advanced in health care, such as the United States, the disease Imown as Spanish influenza took its toll, kilhng over 21,000 Americans in the last week of October.^ Spread primarily through the respiratory system, the sickness leaped Dr. McPherson teaches history at the College; of Eastern Utah, San J u a n Center, and is a m e m b e r ofthe Advisory Board of Editors of Utah Historical (^larterly. A version of this article appeared in Blue Mountain Shadows, spring 1988.
'Joseph E. Persico, "The Great Swine Flu Epidemic of 1918," American Heritage 27 (June 1976): 28.
