Primary Investigation Of The 1918 Influenza's Impact On America

The winter of 1918-1919 was a time of great tragedy and disaster for the American people. Between September,1918 and March,1919, the United States was visited by the most destructive epidemic of influenza in the history of the nation. During those few months, as many as 700,000 Americans lost their lives from either influenza or influenza pneumonia. Curiously, American history has neglected almost entirely this important event. The medical historian has analyzed it as an event of medical significance, but social and political historians have relegated the epidemic to a position of minor importance. Consequently, the initial purpose of this examination was to restore this event, through examining the social background surrounding the disaster, how the American people reacted to the crisis, what reaction of the American medical profession, politicians, and social groups were, thus determining its significance for America and the world, especially for today's public health.So the structure of this work is straightforward. The text includes four chapters.Chapter one mainly depicts the great epidemic in America.1918 influenza broke out during world war one. The condition of war speeded up the spread of the disease. As a result, the pandemic struck nearly every corner of the world. There were three waves, while the second wave, which happened in autumn, took most lives. October, 1918, was the most miserable month in American history. Some parts of American were hit seriously during the third wave.Chapter two reproduces the impact of 1918 influenza on American civil people through memories of the survivals, as well as how the civil people reacted to the great epidemic. The responses of the Americans fell into three basic categories:reaction of fear alone; reactions from a combination of fear and the desire to act positively; and reactions which were positive and very often fearless.Chapter three focuses on how American professionals, especially medical profession, attacked the epidemic with all the resources at their command. Medical profession took many ways to prevent the spread of influenza, such as using face masks on a large scale, the use of isolation and quarantine, cleanliness. They did all they can do to find out the remedy, but all failed. However, their contribution and dedication was indelible. The United States public health services at all levels had grown up in the baptism of 1918 pandemic and took measures to stop the spread of the disease.Chapter four mainly concerns on the political, economic and social effects of the 1918 influenza on American society. The greatest impact caused by the great epidemic was the reform of public health agencies. Other political, social and economic structures were altered by the tragedy. During the great epidemic, it was an economy of shortages, of limited services, of lost sales. For some, it was an economy in which high profits could be made. In general, the epidemic economy lasted for only a short time, and produced no significant long term losses.1918 influenza has changed some social actions. People would not cough, sneeze and spit in public. Cultural historians thought there was a close bond between "lost generations" and the great epidemic.I made a simple conclusion at the end of the paper, concerning on the lessons of 1918 influenza which we could learn from, especially to the public health. Nowadays, we should pay attention to information exchange and investment in vaccines. When an epidemic breaks out, the authorities should reduce the panic which may drive a wedge among people. Only when we get rid of fear, could we defeat the epidemic-the enemy of mankind.