In 1918, the Spanish Influenza virus caused devastation across the world, and the first case ever recorded was only a few miles away at Fort Riley.
Patrick Kirk, senior in history, is researching the history of the flu and its connections to K-State.
Kirk is doing research on the effects the flu had on the K-State campus. Included in his paper will be general information on the Spanish flu, background information on K-State leading up to the flu, details on how the flu arrived and the effects it had on campus.
“I chose to write about Spanish Influenza because it is a phenomenon that has always interested me,” Kirk said. “The people who lived through it generally didn’t like to talk about it, and even today we don’t know very much about it.”
Kirk said an epidemic was in Manhattan in fall of 1918, and several students and teachers died.
Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, associate professor in history, said Kirk was interested in military connections to K-State because he is in the Marines.
Lynn-Sherow said the story of the pandemic is one of the most dramatic examples of the K-State and Fort Riley relationship.
“I am really proud of Patrick and all the work that he has done on this paper,” Lynn-Sherow said. “He has finished the first draft of his paper, and he will include as many personal accounts as he can.”
Kirk said the Spanish flu was a highly contagious and adaptable flu virus against which people living in 1918 had no immunological defense. It began in the United States and quickly spread around the world because of massive movements of people during World War I.
Symptoms tended to be similar to those of the regular flu, including head and body aches, fever, runny nose, cough and fatigue, except they were more severe and often led to pneumonia. There is still no “cure” for the flu in 2009, but people in 1918 did not have flu vaccines or the same level of sanitation available today.
Kirk said the number of people who died is not known, but the best estimates range from 20 million to 40 million worldwide, with about 675,000 Americans.
Lynn-Sherow also said K-State was housing and taking care of soldiers on campus during that time period. There were many students who were entraining during World War I, which means they were doing double duty as soldiers and students.
“The faculty, staff, students and health care professionals who took care of the patients on campus at the time were the real heroes of the situation,” Lynn-Sherow said. “They declared war on the virus, and who knows how many deaths they prevented by just providing some basic care for the patients.”
Kirk said he has had a tremendous amount of help from the staff at Hale Library, especially the staff in the Special Collections section on the fifth floor. He also has had help from the Riley County Historical Museum and received tips from people who have contacted him.
Kirk said the Spanish Influenza and the H1N1 viruses are both pandemic flu viruses that affect most young children and older people. Kirk also said the Spanish Flu and H1N1 both show a propensity to attack young adults.
Lynn-Sherow said, compared with the H1N1 virus, the Spanish flu was 10 times worse.
“Due to the type of care that was available during this time period, there really is no comparison to the H1N1 virus,” Lynn-Sherow said. “The technology and medical care at the time was limited to bedside care. The fear and panic at the time was significant.”
Kirk said people will be curious about the pandemic in 1918 because of the recent spread of H1N1. By writing about how this worldwide event affected K-State, he said he hopes to give interested students a sense of place and affiliation with what they are reading about.
Kirk also said once his paper is completed, final drafts will be sent to the people who have helped him with his research. Copies will also be stored at the Riley County Historical Museum and in the Special Collections area at Hale Library for anyone interested in reading more.
“Students love doing research about K-State history,” Lynn-Sherow said. “In the end they have a better understanding and appreciation for K-State history.”
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