Influenza scourge: How the Spanish flu gripped Orange, from 1919 newspaper reports

Newspaper reports from the day, re-discovered on the Trove archive website, reveal how the influenza affected daily life in Orange.

Here are some snippets of how the epidemic occurred 101 years ago.

"This afternoon a meeting of the Orange A. and P. Society will be held for the purpose of considering the matter of holding a 1919 show in the face of the Spanish influenza epidemic and the drought. From the trend of popular opinion it points to the unlikelihood of the show being held. Numbers of country shows have cut their exhibitions this year and judging from Mr Fitzgerald's opinion, each show will be judged on its merits of whether it should be held."

"Two more cases of influenza were admitted to the local [Orange] hospital today, making seven in all. The new cases include an engine driver and an employee at the local goods shed. Tonight all the cases had been definitely diagnosed as pneumonic influenza, but of a very mild character. Enquiry at the hospital tonight elicited the information all the patients were progressing as well as could be expected. None were serious. The temperatures ranged from 100 to 102. The outbreak has, of course, caused much apprehension in Orange and the necessary steps are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The latest case came from a different part of the town to those of the six previously reported."

"Twenty-four cases of influenza have been reported at Orange to noon today. Alexander Bruce Crossman, 32, married, railway fireman, died in the hospital at midnight. Three other patients are in a serious condition. As the capacity of the isolation ward is only for 30, arrangements are being made to utilise a ward in the main building for the time being, but if there is a substantial increase the Show Ground buildings will have to be brought into requisition. There is ample accommodation there for sufferers as well as nurses and contacts, too, if neccesary. There are 16 patients now at Millthorpe two being pneumonic."

"There were 21 influenza patients in the isolation ward at the Orange hospital on Sunday last. Of those admitted on Saturday and Sunday three came from one house and two came from another in the same locality of Orange East. A feature of the outbreak is still the number of cases which can be traced to railway employees. The condition of Dr Sadler is reported to be normal. Of the cases in the hospital, one is dangerouns and two others are regarded as severe. There is only sufficient accommodation at the Orange hospital for 30 cases."

"There are now 40 cases of flu in Orange and the indications are there will be others. Two returned soldiers who were were enjoying themselves at a Taroo Social and Welcome Home became sick and returned to their hotel where it was found they were victims of influenza. They had been dancing with many of the girls and a crop of cases is expected."

"The Orange hospital is absolutely broke financially as a result of the flu. Unless it can raise funds it will have to close its doors on many deserving cases. The local 'Advocate' has opened a subscription list."

"The outlook in Orange is brighter. There are now only 18 patients in the hospital. Of 175 patients only seven died. One of every 46 people resident in Orange had been a victim of the epidemic."

"Mr E. Whatley, 32, died at Orange yesterday. He leaves a widow and two children. The epidemic is waning in most country towns."

"We referred a week ago to the death of a respected Orange hotel keeper, Mr A.J. Lance of the Exchange Hotel from flu. Mr Lance's brother Edward visited Orange last week and now a report has been received that he died from the flu in Sydney Hospital on Tuesday night."

"At Orange council several aldermen protested against chuchgoers breaking the law by sitting in church unmasked and it was decided to call the attention of police to the matter."

"On Saturday Alderman George Treweeke informed a 'Leader' man that Orange had been handed a clean bill of health and there is not a case of pneumonic or ordinary influenza in the town or district. Not a single case has been reported for a fortnight. This is a happy state of affairs and should be cause for rejoicing on all sides."

"It is with deep regret that we note the death of Mrs Martin Schmich of Borenore, a member of the well-respected Schmich and Attwood families. The cause of her death was influenza. She was only 37 years of age and leaves a sorrowing husband and three children. The whole of the Attwood family is down with influenza."

"It is no exaggeration to say that at present almost every second house in Molong contains a flu patient but happily cases are mild. Dr Kennedy is having a most strenuous time."

"The flu has brought out the usual crop of quacks. Every other man in town is now an encyclopaedia as to what to do and what to take."

"Despite the cold weather the flu epidemic in Molong is abating with no fresh pneumonic cases having been reported for over a fortnight."

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