A Cruel Wind

Book excerpt: The flu pandemic that began in 1918 touched with illness virtually every family in America. It was a devastating time, far overshadowing the carnage of World War I as the pandemic killed more people in less time than any disease before or since. With 25% to 30% of the worlds population having clinically apparent illnesses and a mortality rate of 2.5% - 5%, it is believed that more than 675,000 Americans were among the 50-100 million that died worldwide. Because many experts believe that it is not a matter of if the world will encounter another 1918-like flu pandemic, but when, this social history of the pandemic should be considered essential reading for students, public health officials, doctors, nurses, journalists, and those in government office, interested in learning what workedand didntduring that grim time.