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100 Years Ago - Influenza deaths on the raise in Scranton; Tent Hospital going up in Carbondale

Times-Tribune - 10/17/2018

Oct. 17--Oct. 17, 1918

Influenza deaths on the rise

Scranton health authorities believed they were gaining the upper hand on the influenza epidemic. During the past day, doctors reported only 22 new cases of the disease. The total number of cases in the city stood at 2,515.

Despite the decline in new cases, the health department and the hospitals reported that the deaths from the disease were increasing. It was reported there were 11 deaths for a total of 147 since the epidemic reached Scranton.

Tent hospital going up in Carbondale

With a spike in influenza cases, Carbondale city officials put up tents on the grounds of the Carbondale Emergency Hospital for the care and treatment of those infected with influenza. If the epidemic worsened, another tent hospital would be erected at the Simpson High School. Officials were opposed to using the Carbondale Armory as an emergency hospital.

Julia Gerrity, a Carbondale nurse, responded to the calls for the tent hospitals by saying that there were too many alarmists in Carbondale and common sense was needed in handling the epidemic.

Gerrity offered to take charge of the influenza epidemic in Simpson. She said, "It is nursing care of the patients that will help them to recovery."

Sale at Scranton Dry Goods

All mourning apparel priced between $18.95 to $34.50, navy- or black- trimmed hats were $1.98, fur scarfs were $1, flannel blankets were $3.88, coffee was 19 cents per pound, a six-pound bag of barley flour was 35 cents.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

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