advertisement

Images: The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

See images from the National Archive and the Library of Congress of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The Spanish Flu, which was also known as the 1918 influenza pandemic was an unusually deadly form of influenza. It lasted nearly 36 month from January 1918 through December of 1920 and infected approximately 500 million people.

In this November 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, a nurse takes the pulse of a patient in the influenza ward of the Walter Reed hospital in Washington. Historians think the pandemic started in Kansas in early 1918, and by winter 1919 the virus had infected a third of the global population and killed at least 50 million people, including 675,000 Americans. Some estimates put the toll as high as 100 million. By comparison, the AIDS virus has claimed 35 million lives over four decades. Library of Congress
The Ward 1, Pneumonia and Influenza camp hospital in Nevers, Nievre, France in 1918 during the Influenza pandemic. The National Archives
Eberts Field, Lonoke, Arkansas. Convalescent Influenza patients in isolation due to overflow of hospitals during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
A traffic cop in New York City wearing the gauze masks during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
The 39th Regiment on its way to France marched through the streets of Seattle, Washington. Everyone provided with a mask made by the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
A typist wearing her influenza mask. In New York, practically every worker has muffled their faces in gauze masks as a protection against disease during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
This is the emergency hospital at Brookline, Massachusetts to care for influenza cases during the 1918 Influenza pandemic. The National Archives
Policemen in Seattle, Washington wearing masks made by the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
Masks as protection against influenza are worn by a street cleaner during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
Red Cross workers of Boston, Massachusetts, removing bundles of masks for American Soldiers from table where other women are busily engaged in making them during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The National Archives
In this 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, volunteer nurses from the American Red Cross tend to influenza patients in the Oakland Municipal Auditorium, used as a temporary hospital. As scientists mark the 100th anniversary of the Spanish influenza pandemic, labs around the country are hunting better vaccines to boost protection against ordinary winter flu and guard against future pandemics, too. Library of Congress
In this November 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress a girl stands next to her sister lying in bed. The girl became so worried she telephoned the Red Cross Home Service who came to help the woman fight the influenza virus. No one knows the ultimate origin of that terrifying 1918 flu. But researchers hope they're finally closing in on stronger flu shots, ways to boost much-needed protection against ordinary winter influenza and guard against future pandemics at the same time. Library of Congress
St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps on duty Oct. 1918 influenza pandemic. Photograph shows mask-wearing women holding stretchers at backs of ambulances. Library of Congress
Back on the Job. Red Cross women at the New York County chapter at the workroom at 82nd street and Amsterdam Ave., turning out medical supplies and hospital equipment to be used by the city health department in its war on influenza. So complete was the organization of chapter units, that the first call for supplies enabled the Red Cross to mobilize its workers immediately and the seven health zones designated by the Health Department have been kept steadily reinforced with necessities. Throughout the 216 chapters of the Atlantic Division and everywhere else in the country, Red Cross women are cooperating with the Health officials in the present emergency Library of Congress
Flu fighters in Montenegro. They went to Montenegro to fight smallpox, and typhus epidemics and when influenza broke out there had their hands full taking care of the victims of the newer epidemic. They belong to the American Red Cross hospital staff in Podgoritza, Montenegro. From left to right they are: Miss Margaret Lena Johnson, Chicago; Major Joseph F. Jaros, Chicago; Miss Mary Theresa Beulhauser, New York; Miss Elizabeth G. Mitchell, Newport R.I. and Dr. Katherine M. Cook, New Wilmington, Pa. Library of Congress
American ward at the Fourth Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. Most of the patients are influenza cases from incoming convoys. The Red Cross has a staff of American officers and women visitors who look after their welfare, and there is a large warehouse full of comforts and luxuries for the boys Library of Congress
Demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918 Library of Congress
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.