Spanish flu claimed lives of 100s across South Wales
As the summer of 1918 drew to an end, the impact of four years of fighting on the home front was clear to see. Across the UK hospitals were overwhelmed, industry was disrupted and public services were struggling to run. And the people of Wales were also f
IN JULY 1918, the people of the Rhondda were facing a crisis.
In one week alone there had been 45 deaths – all attributed to the Spanish influenza.
And with the epidemic continuing to grow, local authorities faced little choice but to take action to limit its spread.
A Rhondda Leader article from July 20, 1918 reports: “The influenza epidemic in the Rhondda was the subject of a discussion at a meeting of the Rhondda council on Friday, July 12.
“The Medical Officer of Health (Dr JD Jenkins) reported that 54 deaths had occurred in the district from the disease during the last five weeks, and this number included 45 fatal cases in the previous week. The majority of cases occurred in Number 10 Ward (Maerdy and Ferndale), but it was anticipated that the epidemic would extend to the western part of the Rhondda and to such an extent as to cause a further large number of deaths.
“Consequently he suggested that the council ought to use the powers possessed by it under the Act of 1915 for the closing of Sunday schools, with a view to the prevention of the spread of the epidemic.”
During the meeting it was noted that Sunday schools had already been asked to shut on a voluntary basis but with limited success.
Questions were also raised over the possibility of closing places of worship altogether, much to the horror of one local pastor.
In an objection during the meeting, Canon Lewis said: “There is nothing to prevent us having an outdoor service.
“Why is it more dangerous to children attending Sunday school than to adults attending services?
“Cinemas and Italian shops are more dangerous than Sunday schools.”
In spite of his objections, the motion was carried, forcing Sunday schools to shut for at least three weeks.
In total the Spanish influenza claimed up to 40 million lives globally between 1918 and 1919 – at least three times the number of fatalities from the war.
When it first started it was seen as no more than a common cold spread from pockets around the world.
In the trenches, soldiers complained of sore throats, loss of appetite and severe headaches.
Meanwhile, for those on the home front, it came at a time where food was scarce due to German blockades, leaving people hungry and unable to fight off illness.
As conditions worsened, it became clear this was no ordinary flu.
Glasgow was the first British city to be affected in May 1918, and within weeks the illness spread south.
In Wales children had a new song as they played on the streets.
As they skipped rope, they sang: “I had a little bird, its name was Enza. I opened the window, and in-flu-enza.”
At the time, newspaper Herald Cymraeg reported: “We live in terrible days, fearing every minute of the day that we will hear of the death of neighbours and friends.”
In the Rhondda valley the growing number of people confined to their beds caused even further pressure on those working underground.
With dwindling numbers of healthy staff, some miners were asked to work as many as three shifts in a row to meet demand.
On July 13, the Rhondda Leader reports: “The influenza epidemic throughout the Rhondda has claimed the life of many well-known residents during the past few days, and in many instances whole households are greatly affected and are confined to their rooms and beds respectively.
“Dozens of miners have been compelled to return home from their work at practically every shift, and this has marred the attendance at the pits considerably.
“Some of the collieries have been so seriously affected that the officials are obliged to ask some of the unaffected workmen to work three shifts in succession, and they experience great difficulty in carrying on the work.”
Across South Wales other areas with heavy industry were also badly affected.
In Abercynon, nearly 400 cases of influenza were reported in one day.
In one case the steady stream of ambulances called to the colliery was “as if there had been a big accident”.
The Llais Llafur weekly paper from the Ystalyfera region reported: “Fatal results from the influenza scourge are being reported daily from many areas, and the epidemic appears to be making considerable headway, more especially in the northern area of the South Wales coalfield.
“Mr Bruce Jones JP, agent of the Dowlais Company’s collieries at Abercynon, reported to the Mountain Ash council that there were now nearly 400 cases in the Abercynon district, ‘while sick men were being daily carried out on ambulances from the colliery, just as if there had been a big accident.’
“All the schools in the Kenfig Hill district are closed, and the collieries are kept going with great difficulty.
“Most of the collieries and works in the Neath district are also affected by the epidemic.”
Alongside the list of growing casualties came dozens of articles sporting advice on how to avoid the contagion.
In November 1918 the Cambrian News reported that the only way to stop infection was to keep living conditions as clean as possible. For the job, only Jeyes Fluid was recommended – both as a disinfectant for bathrooms and kitchens as well as a mouthwash.
The advice stated: “Infection can be avoided by keeping the body in a healthy condition and by regularly spraying the atmosphere of living rooms, bedrooms, offices, workshops and schoolrooms with an efficient disinfectant.
“Jeyes Fluid is most suitable. From nine to 30 gallons of disinfectant fluid can be prepared from a shilling bottle of Jeyes.
“A few teaspoonfuls should be added to the bath, and all lavatories and drains and sinks should be regularly flushed with the fluid.
“Five to 10 drops in a tumbler of water and used as a gargle will keep the mouth and throat healthy and free from germs.
“Preventive treatment is now a national duty.”