Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19 in Schenectady, NY

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The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19 and How It Affected the City of

Schenectady, New York by Alan A.

Senior Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for Graduation, Department of History, Union College, March, 1986

Abstract

During 1918 and 1919, the world was struck by a terrible killer, the

Spanish Influenza. In less than one year, the Pandemic was responsible

for more deaths than World War I had caused in four. Influenza killed

over 20 million people world wide, including 500,000 in the United

States, making it the worst pestilence to hit man since the Black

Death of the 14th century.

The 1918 Pandemic was composed of three waves; the spring wave of

1918, a prelude to the killer wave of the fall, and the mild follow-up

wave of the winter of 1919.

Like all major cities of the United States, Schenectady was affected

by the Pandemic. There were 404 recorded deaths and approximately

15,000 cases. The first reported cases of Influenza were recorded at

the construction site of the South Schenectady (now Rotterdam)

Military Warehouses among the Negro troops stationed there at the end

of September. By mid October, Influenza had a firm grip on the entire

city. Schools were closed and public gatherings were prohibited. At

one point, General Electric reported that 30% of its work force was

out with the flu.

This six chapter paper begins with a short history of previous

influenza epidemics, and a description of the characteristics of the

disease. The origins of the pandemic will be discussed as well as how

the conditions of World War I helped to turn the pandemic into the

killer that it was. Finally, this paper will explore in depth how the

pandemic effected both the country as a whole and the City of

Schenectady. A comparision will be made between how Schenectady and

the rest of the country dealt with the problems caused by the Pandemic...

http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/health/morris/index.html