Spanish Flu - Pandemics - Early 1900s

"Influenza Ward"
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a39569

The Spanish Flu was an influenza pandemic that arrived in the United States around 1918.  It was first identified in military personnel, and infected about 500 million people worldwide, with 675,000 deaths occurring in the United States alone.  There were national quarantines, as well as school and business closures.  The strain was H1N1, and had an avian origin.

There is no one in the PMMP listed as having died of the Spanish Flu.  The cemetery had closed about four years prior to the outbreak.  However, in reading this article it is interesting to note that the United States went through some similar events that we are now experiencing at this time.  

Quarantine Lifted
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Mask Order
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Influenza - Pandemics - 1800's

"Hard Case"
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.45308

An influenza pandemic occurred between 1889-1890, and had re-occurrences up until about 1899.  It killed a million people worldwide.  

It transferred to America by transatlantic travel, and then was transmitted by our transportation infrastructure throughout the states.   

It was called "Asiatic flu" or "Russian flu", and later determined that the strain was Influenza A, subtype H3N8.  

On an interesting sidenote, an H3 antigen influenza did re-occur in 1968 as H3N2.  It was called the "Hong Kong flu", and arrived in the United States.  Tests on the very elderly during this time demonstrated that the majority had H3 antibodies from exposure to H3 viruses circulating in 1891.  This age group remained relatively well protected during the 1968 pandemic.  This type of study is called "sero-archaeology". 

Old death certificates may list the late 1800's influenza pandemic as Grippe, La grippe, or Influenza. 

We have at least 13 people in the PMMP who died from influenza during this time period.  In some cases, cause of death may have been identified as something else that may have been related to influenza, such as pneumonia, etc.  

La Grippe
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Yellow Fever - Pandemics - 1800s

"Fleeing from Yellow Fever"
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
//hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ds.13083

Yellow fever was a flu-like illness that was later discovered to be spread by mosquitoes.  It was characterized by high fever, aches, chills, and jaundice, which is why it was called "yellow" fever.  Yellow fever spread throughout the United States during the 18th and 19th century.  Cities with primary ports suffered greatly, as the fever arrived from Africa.   It also spread down the Mississippi River.  Boston, New Orleans, Savannah, and Memphis were stricken down with the illness, and the disease caused wide spread panic and disruption.   

The PMMP has no known burials due to Yellow Fever.  However, it is possible that someone did die of the illness, and the obituary or death certificate listed it as something else.  
Old death certificates can list it as Bronze John, American Plague, Dock Fever, Stranger's Fever, or Yellow Jack or Jacket. 

"How One Family Eluded the Yellow Jack"
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"Ideas - Stacks of Them" - Letters to the War Department
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Cholera - Pandemics - Early 1800s

"Ginger Brandy"
 Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b47948

In the 1800's, Cholera reared its ugly head in the States.  It was believed to arrive in New York harbor in 1832. It presented itself as watery diarrhea and vomiting, and was contracted by drinking contaminated water, milk, or by eating contaminated food. It spread throughout the United States via canals, railroads, and boats.

Cholera was often listed on death certificates as Choleric Fever, Cholera Morbus, or Dysentery.

Another ailment with these symptoms was called Cholera Infantum.  Several infants in the PMMP are listed as having died of it, but this was a different illness.  The term was used because the symptoms were similar to Cholera, but were not contagious.  The illness occurred between April and October, mainly to infants who had been weaned.  When proper refrigeration of food came about, less was seen of the illness.

This ailment was often listed as Cholera Infantus, Water Gripes, Summer Complaint, or Weaning Brash on death certificates.  

Read these two stories in Arizona newspapers:

"It Was Heaven's Will"
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"How We Guard Against Cholera"
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