On This Day, 29 June 1918

Birmingham Daily Gazette 

Saturday 29 June 1918

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Malady Claims Many Victims in Birmingham.

Within the last week many cases of influenza have been reported in Birmingham. The disease is rife among individuals in all stations of life, and the epidemic includes cases in factories and workshops, offices and institutions, while many school children have fallen victims.

Although the malady appears be widespread, fortunately no cases of a dangerous character have been noticed. There are few premonitory symptoms, and the malady attacks persons suddenly. Victims experience violent headache, severe pain in the back, extreme prostration, and depression.

The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Robertson) advises persons who are “down” with the disease to go to bed and keep warm, and with proper treatment three or four days generally suffices to effect a cure. Chemists have experienced a run on that homely remedy, ammoniated tincture of quinine.

In consequence of serious outbreak of influenza in the Netherton district, the whole of the schools in that area have been closed for a week.