news A viral pandemic is not new to Australia. Back in 1919, when local communities were still getting over the horror and senseless loss of life associated with World War I, the world was hit by an outbreak of the Spanish Flu. There were similarities with what the country is going through now, evidenced by newspaper reports at the time - the banning of indoor entertainment and the isolation of patients sound all too familiar. This extract from the Health Department pamphlet was published at the time.
A makeshift hospital at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Carlton.
Pictures: Museums Victoria
Insight into past pandemic A SMALL pamphlet has been issued by the Health Department dealing with signs of the disease, how the patient should be treated, and precautions to be taken to avoid infection. The following extracts may prove interesting at the present juncture: SIGNS OF DISEASE The disease must be deemed to be probably present in every case of fever with headache and pains in the back and limbs. There is usually more or less prostration, frequently with signs of catarrh (excessive mucus build-up) and sometimes other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding at the nose. Very great prostration, rapid and difficult breathing, altered colour and pains in the chest indicate serious complications. In every case the patient should be placed in bed and a medical practitioner summoned as speedily as possible. ISOLATION By far the most important measure is the isolation of the sick. If the patient is not removed, he or she should be kept in bed in a well-lighted, well-ventilated room. No visitors should be permitted. Only one person in charge of the patient at any time should enter the room, and such person should take all possible precautions. The usual rules should be observed to prevent the disease being carried to others by drinking vessels, spoons, towels etc after time in the sick room. Cases with complications should be kept separate from simple cases. PREVENTION Crowds of all kinds should be avoided in streets... trains and indoor gatherings. The disease is largely spread by patients with mild attacks, convalescents and ‘carriers’ coughing without restraint, so that fine particles are shot into the air. All coughing should be smothered by a handkerchief or rag, which afterwards should be boiled or burnt. Gargles, sprays and inhalations are decidedly useful. A good, simple gargle is made with a flat teaspoonful of boracic acid, one of common salt and one of
A ward at St Vincents Hospital decorated for Christmas 1919.
There is no reason for any panic. Fear is cowardly and very injurious. Cheerfulness increases resistance and prevents complications. bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in a quart of warm water. It should be used before leaving home and upon returning. It may also serve as a douche for the nostrils. Inoculation with the special vaccine, according to experience in South Africa, probably lessens the liability to attack, and in more decided degree protects from complications. Masks covering the mouth and nose, properly made and properly applied, give a considerable degree of protection. They should be frequently renewed and sterilized by boiling. Those of the simplest, effective make are best. They should be used by all those brought into contact with patients. There is no reason for any panic. Fear is cowardly and very injurious. Cheerfulness increases resistance and prevents complications. DUTY OF CITIZENS With a view to successfully celebrating the visitation the Government has, on the advice of the medical officers, issued a series of regulations. These provide
that the occupier of every house wherein any person is suffering from influenza or the symptoms influenza shall report the occurrence in writing to the Town Clerk or Shire Clerk of the Municipal District in which the house is, and give the name, age and sex of the patient. The medical officer has also to make a similar report. ISOLATION OF PATIENT Every patient is to be isolated at his or her residence, or if such residence is unsuitable in the opinion of the Officer of Health, at any special place provided for the purpose, and every patient treated elsewhere than at a public hospital shall be kept in isolation until the Officer of Health gives consent to his release. It is also provided that every contact shall submit to such treatment or preventative measures (which may include isolation) as the Officer of Health specifies, and for such period as he directs. No person other than the nurse or necessary attendants shall visit any patient in any private house except
Nurses and patients in Carlton Gardens. under conditions specified by the Officer of Health. Power is also given to the Council to have house-to-house visitation made, in order to ascertain whether any case of influenza exists or whether the regulations are being observed, and the Officer of Health and any other officer authorized by the Council may isolate any house or part of a house wherein there is a patient. The Council may also order the cleaning, purifying, ventilation and disinfecting of houses, schools, churches and other places of assembly by the occupier. PENALTY FOR NEGLECT It is provided that any person who fails to comply with the regulations or is guilty of any neglect or disobedience of them is liable to a penalty not exceeding 20 pounds and to a penalty not exceeding five pounds nor less than one pound for each day during which such an offence is continued, besides any cost or expense which may be incurred in remedying the default. Friday, 26 June, 2020
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