Shadow of gloom cast
CATHAL MULLANEY DELVES INTO THE SLIGO CHAMPION ARCHIVES TO 1918 WHEN SPANISH FLU SWEPT THROUGH THE COUNTY MUCH LIKE THE CORONAVIRUS OF TODAY
THE widespread impact of Covid-19 is being felt all across the globe, and i ts ability to thwart countries in ever y corner of the world draws eerie parallels with the Spanish Flu of just over 100 years ago. The influenza, which lasted for almost three years from January 1918 to the winter of 1920, was a deadly pandemic which killed approximately 50 million people around the world – though, given the poor records compiled in certain regions at the time, some experts suggest the total figure could be closer to 100 million. Much like the coronavirus, Sligo did not escape the clutches of the Spanish Flu, and The Sligo Champion reported extensively on how the town and county grappled with its spread.
The population of County Sligo in 1911 was 79.045 but by 1926 it had fallen to 71,388.
In Ireland, some 800,000 people caught the flu, with approximately 20,000 dying as a result. It is argued that a further 3000 died from follow-on illnesses such as pneumonia, bringing the total death-rate to 23,000.
A flu that swept across the country, it quietened towns and villages, and ravaged communities of their youth. Most harrowingly, the Spanish Flu impacted the youngest in society most: killing many of those with young children and families.
It is believed that the Spanish Flu came to Ireland via a solider – in the midst of World
War I – who came off the USS Dixie at Cobh in May of that year and was transported to hospital with symptoms. It was the first case of the Spanish Flu in Ireland. The name of the virus, too, had its origins in the war. It became known as the Spanish Flu, because it was first recorded on the Iberian Peninsula where, given Spain’s neutrality in the war, journalists were not censored like their colleagues in the likes of the UK, USA, Germany and France. It is unlikely the first case originated in Spain, but after the first reports emerged from there, the name stuck. It was nicknamed the Black Flu because people turned purple or even black. Symptoms included a very high pilse, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite and gastrointestinal pains.
Sligo’s brush with the Spanish Flu was well documented in The Sligo Champion over the course of its spread. The first mention we have in the paper’s archives of the flu comes via an article entitled ‘Flanders Flu’, to which it was also referred to as, on June 29 th 1918. The piece advocates use of influenza drops which were “an absolutely sure preventative” from The Sligo Drug Company, an outlet situated on Stephen Street. “Sligo and surrounding districts should take warning and get a bottle,” the article said, to ensure that they fought off the new disease which was spreading with “startling rapidity”. At this stage, the places in Ireland mentioned with confirmed cases were Belfast, Dublin and
Ballinasloe in county Galway.
The mention of the Spanish Flu in the pages of the paper was limited throughout July, but the edition of August 10 th included an article entitled “Not Yet Gone”.
“The influenza epidemic is still rife in Sligo,” the piece began. “Several people in the town are laid up while many others are convalescent. In most cases, the attacks are very severe, the patient being in a very low condition for some days and the greatest attention is required in order to pull through.
“Although, so far, only one death has been reported directly attributable to influenza, the danger is the after effect, the system being weakened by the disease and left unable to resist the ravages of pneumonia and other complications which ensue.” In early September of 1918, details were included of the Sligo-Leitrim Asylum which was impacted by the Influenza – some 41 of the staff and 66 of the patients contracted the disease, with one death in Sligo and four in Leitrim. However, the report goes on to say that the vast majority of cases were of a “mild type”.
Two months later, on November 2nd, The Sligo Champion reported that Sligo was keeping “comparatively safe” from “the ravages of the flu” when compared with the death toll in other areas. “Still, rumour has it that there are some cases locally,” the writer continued. “These are not said to be of a serious nature, however, and at most are only perhaps bad colds. It would be advisable at the same time that every precaution should be taken to guard against this disease, which in its new form is leaving may sorrowful homes in its trail.”
In the same paper, Sir Charles Cameron, a bacteriologist, recommended the use of disinfectant in all public and private places. The writer advised readers to obtain a packet of Ashley’s Disinfecting Tablets from local agents, The Sligo Drug Company. Also included were remedies for the Influenza, which match many of the suggestions that are currently being advanced to combat Covid-19. “The principal means (writes a medical correspondent) are avoidance of under fatigue, adequate ventilation of living and working rooms, and cleanliness of the throat and nasal passages,” the article read. “Crowded places of entertainment, packed trains, teams and busses are to be shunned, and prolonged mental strain or overwork are to be avoided. The best remedy when in the grip of disorder is bed.”
A week later, on November 9 th, the paper reported that there were over 100 cases of ‘flu’ in Sligo. “All the schools, the college, and the convents were closed on Monday last and will probably remain closed until there are assurances that the epidemic has abated in its seriousness. We sincerely trust that as far as Sligo is concerned, there will be no fatal results.”
The same edition included a report from the
town of Ballymote which outlined that the urban area was free of the disease, though there were a couple of cases in surrounding districts.
The rapid decline and death of local policeman Constable Moclair of Barrack No. 1 was carried in the paper of November 16 th. The piece said that he was on duty on Monday and was buried on Thursday such was the aggression of in the Influenza.
The impact of the disease on Sligo appears to have been at its worst in the lead up to Christmas of 1918. On November 23rd, a lengthy article lamented the number of deaths in Sligo as a result of the Spanish Flu.
“The prevalence of the i nfluenza epidemic i s casting the shadow of gloom and depression all over the town. We had hoped the disease i n the mild f orm we had known i t at f i rst would pass away without f atal consequences. The opposite has been the result, and this week i t i s our sad duty to record a number of deaths as a result of this deadly malady.
“In some cases whole families were stricken down, and a feeling of nervousness and depression has spread all over. No one seems immune from attack. Even those who were formerly seized with its grip cannot feel secure in the thought that their first illness is an inoculation against a second attack.
“There have been over twenty funerals since Sunday last, and many who are at present on the sick list cannot be regarded as out of danger; indeed there are many whose are anything but hopeful, and only extreme care is helping to pull them through.”
The writer said the deaths which had taken place were “particularly sad. One shudders to think of young men who, a week ago, were the embodiment of youthful vitality now lying cold in death.
“The result i s, as we have already stated, a f eeling of depression has settled down on people.”
The following week’s paper included many articles detailing the passing of notable local people and members of the clergy. However, there appears to have been a decline in the number of cases following Christmas, and the mention of the flu in the early parts of 1919 was sporadic.
A message on behalf of the poor of Ballymote offered its thanks to the people who helped them in “the sad hour of suffering and need.” A report on the meeting of the Tobercurry Guardians included details of a bill submitted for £82 “for supplying a horse and driver for the ambulance for the period from October 1st to January 24 th.” The reason for such a high bill, the meeting heard, was due to the “abnormally large number of patients” removed to hospital during the influenza epidemic.
Though there was reportage on the passing of Edward O’Hara, a young man well known in Dromahair and Coolaney, the worst of the Influenza had passed by March of 1919.
However, on St Patrick’s Night 1919 a concert was held in the Hall in the village of Cliffoney. The Hall was packed to the door.
Next day, every single person who was at the concert was down with the ‘Flu, and the organisers were blamed. Practically every member of every family in the parish had it. Many deaths occurred, a particularly sad case being that of two brothers named McGowan, of the townland of Bunduff who died on successive days.
In May, a presentation of a gold wristlet watch was made to Miss E. Reynolds of Ballymote for her devotion to the sick poor during the outbreak. Finally, in October of 1919, a report from the Tuberculosis Committee on their year’s work said the Influenza epidemic had “a big share in the causation of a large number of cases during the year. About fifty percent of all cases reported had their origin in an attack of influenza, and I fear it will make its effects felt for some time to come.”