The Spanish Lady

[lord of the mark]

The great Influenza epidemic of 1918.

Just finished reading Barry's book on it. Not a bad read, though I'd have liked more on the actual progress and impact of the flu (especially OUTSIDE the US), and less on the scientific researchers, and less on teh eevil Wilson admin.

Surprised he was so dismissive of the link to Encephalitis Lethargica - after reading "Awakenings" I thought the link was well established. Barry does emphasize neurological effects, but only to focus on the possibility that Wilson actually got the flu and died of it.

I had a relation we called Aunt Rachel (names changed to protect the innocent) This "aunt" was not actually my mothers sister, but my mothers cousin. She grew up with my mother, as my grandmother took her in cause she was an orphan. Both parents had died (in Eastern Europe) to the flu, my mom told me.

Anyone else with stories of personal connection to the great flu? Any other comments on it?

[molly bloom]

It even affected the remaining forces of von Lettow-Vorbeck in East Africa.

After all the privations of the rainy season, travelling through tsetse fly infested territory, swamp and marsh and arid scrub, and staving off attacks by the British Empire forces and the Belgians and Portuguese forces, it seems insulting to have the survivors succumb to an invisible enemy.