When it comes to pandemics – the worst version of an epidemic – the flu virus (influenza) still strikes the most fear in officials of public health. It is highly contagious and leaves us with few options to counteract. The year 1918 had the worst attack of the flu worldwide. In this book, Barry traces the history of what happened in that year and extracts lessons for us to follow in our age.
The 1918 influenza attack, nicknamed the Spanish Flu, struck fear into entire cities like Philadelphia and hit army barracks, packed due to World War I, particularly hard. This attack was termed a modern-day plague and fueled the fear in some of the end of human civilization. Bacterial infections (now known as sequelae) were then thought to be the primary cause – not a virus. Modern medical research, then in its infancy, spurned a structure through which it would conduct further advances.
Through copious details, it is obvious that Barry spent much time gleaning through original sources to construct this delightful narrative. He tells several narratives at once – the public-health story, the stories of research (both of individuals and as a collective), the military story of World War I and its aftermath, and the governmental story of building a national infrastructure for health.
This book should be read by anyone who makes emergency plans for pandemics. The afterward contains analysis that the author provided to public-health committees based on his research. In addition, it seems that the story of this pandemic has often been overlooked by historians. Barry brings its stark realities to the fore and allows us to engage in its lessons in fanciful detail.
The Great Influenza: The Story for the Deadliest Pandemic in History
by John M. Barry
Copyright (c) 2004, 2005, 2009, 2018
ISBN13 9780143036494
Page Count: 546
Genre: History of Disease, Public Health
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