Influenza In Philadelphia

After the virus spread from military camps into the city, it raged throughout the city. In Philadelphia, the shortage of doctors made the city vulnerable to the outbreak. Over 800 doctors and nurses were helping with the war, causing the shortage. More volunteers and medical professionals were called overseas, leaving less help for the citizens. With this shortage, the flu was not contained causing it to spread faster. Around this time, many jobs in shipbuilding opened up in Philadelphia. The cost was that there was limited space and the potential of getting infected. African Americans had to live in slums, which were breeding grounds for Influenza. Philadelphia’s health administrators furthered the spread of Influenza with a concert that had 200,000 people come. After that, 635 people got the flu. This was Philadelphia's most deadly period. Spitting accompanied a 2.50 fine. Morgues ran out room for the dead. Bodies would rot in the street, until makeshift morgues were created. Then cemeteries ran …show more content…
In Camp Devens, it was called “Blue Death”, because of cyanosis, bluish color, caused through the flu. In the hallways, many infected soldiers laid on cots. These soldiers had a deep blue color. The morgue had many bodies that yet had an autopsy. When the autopsy was performed, the lungs were swollen and blue. After experts were called, the effort for a vaccine to be created started, and quarantine areas to start. Those infected were contagious many days before showing symptoms. The civilian volunteers took the flu with them when they went home to the cities. Most soldiers recovered, but the ones that didn’t experienced weakness and excruciating pain. Then those mentioned that didn’t make it would develop pneumonia, and bleed badly from the ear, mouth, and nose. Then they were lucky to survive. If they showed cyanosis, they wouldn’t survive. There wasn’t enough coffins, and grave diggers couldn’t bury bodies without