The United States had joined the war and were successfully helping the Allies repel the Germans. The war was slowly winding down (the Versaille Treaty would be signed in 1919), when early in the spring in military camps in Kansas and around the states a flu breakout occured. Overshadowed and ignored by the news of the war the flu went unabated. It seemed a normal flu. But these weren't normal times. Local, Regional and Global travel was happening at a pace never before seen, as troops moved from training camps to bases to ships and overseas. Over in Europe the flu spread as well, seemingly carried by troops as they moved from place to place. It was the flu, but this was a World War. The flu seemed to be minor news. It wasn't particularly virulent or deadly, the young recovered easily and went back to the task of fighting the war.
And then the second wave hit. The most deadly, virulent flu the world had seen was suddenly spreading with a death rate that, for the American population, was 10 times the numbers that died during the war. It is estimated that 1/3 of the total population suffered from the deadly strain, and estimates of 50 -100 million died. The overall effect was so severe that the average life span in the U.S. was depressed by 10 years as a result of the number of casualties. Hardest hit -- those 20-40. As the flu strain came back around for it's second run it was believed to have caused an overreaction of the body's immune system, causing the strong immune system of the young to be more affected than those of the elderly.
We now know of the 1918 flu as the Spanish Flu. Another common name is "La Grippe". The origins are fuzzy but deaths were noted in France early on in the 2nd wave but most of the news of the spread came from Spain, which was neutral during WWI and thus had no press restrictions on what was printed and reported, hence the names.
We now know that the flu was "pandemic", not just an epidemic. It was also the flu that robbed Carl Chorman of his maternal grandparents.
In1886 Alcanzar Judkins married Bessie Wilson. Alcanzar was a pattern maker like his father. Bearing five sons and three daughters, as Edwin Judkins tells us: "This happy union was broken up by the flu epidemic of 1918 when they died just one week apart, or as close together as possible to the time both of them would have wished."
And why write about it now? They have looked at the genetic characteristics from the 1918 flu (from cells of a soldier that died from the flu) and the strain may seem familiar to you. The 1918 Spanish Flu was caused by the H1N1 virus.
The most recent sightings of the H1N1 virus appear to have been in 1976 which is why the elderly have been less affected, mostly likely one was exposed in 1976 and is carrying a slight immunity. The "swine flu" is similar in pigs and now humans. While it appears to have "jumped" from animals to humans, making it the first to have ever done so, it also appears as if they are two similar strains existing in both animals and humans. So I suppose it's possible the poor pigs will suffer from an outbreak of the "homo sapien flu". How tragic.
We have heard much over the last few years about the possibility of a "pandemic" flu. First we prepared for the avian flu (which thankfully didn't make the jump many feared) and now, quite quickly, the swine flu. Ohio State (and Ohio in general) saw many cases in the spring which may be why we are weathering the fall season a bit better (having been exposed and built up an immunity hopefully).
So what to do? Well this is a virus so antibacterial soap doesn't help much. But an antiviral sanitizer, washing your hands, not coughing/sneezing on each other sure helps. Antioxidants always work, so does staying hydrated. And try Ginger and Garlic, not just now but to kill any bug.
Ginger (sorry in the raw form only -- ginger snaps and ginger bread cookies don't count!) can prevent motion sickness, soothe upset stomachs (now you know why you got ginger ale when you were sick, as a kid) and it will relieve migraine headaches. It can help with high cholesterol and even help to prevent abnormal blood clots.
Garlic (please NOT in the raw form -- you will be very lonely -- try roasting!) lowers cholesterol and "thins" the blood. It may help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Garlic also appears to block the growth of some cancer cells. In a study at Boston City Hospital, garlic was used to kill 14 strains of bacteria, taken from the noses and throats of children with ear infections. It also boosts your immune system and reduces blood sugar.
Bacteria tend to form their own immunity against antibiotics (which I know won't work against a virus, bear with me here!), but noone has heard of them forming a resistance to Ginger or Garlic!
And by the way, while you weren't looking (or reading this blog!), the H1N1 virus has been declared a pandemic. See, now that wasn't so scary.
Hang tight, keep healthy, eat more raw veggies!
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