Northwest History. Alaska. Epidemics & Contagious Diseases.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1918
• Subjects: influenza; Eskimos; Seward peninsula; Nome; bureau of education; morality; Eskimo population; Cape Prince; Wales village; influenza epidemic; Yukon; St. Michael; Teller; transportation of mails; army camps; Washington; Aberdeen; S.D.; South Dakota; pneumonia; Missoula; Mont.; temperature; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Alaska; Cape Prince of Wales; Pacific; St Michael; eskimo*; Seward Peninsula
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90694

Influenza Takes Toll Of Eskimos: Nearly 1000 Of Natives In Seward Peninsula Victims. INFLUENZA TAKES TOLL OF ESKIMOS Nearly l000 of Natives in Seward Peninsula Victims. NOME, Alaska, Dec. 20. -- Estimates compiled by the health authorities and relief workers of the bureau of education her placed the morality among the Eskimo population of Seward peninsula, due to pneumonia resulting from Spanish influenza, at nearly 1000. In the outlying sections of the peninsula the disease continues to take an appalling toll of life among the natives, the adult population of some half dozen villages in the Nome vicinity having been wiped out. In other towns, reports of relief work show, Eskimo children are the principal survivors and many of these have been found partially frozen in remote settlements, owing to the death of their parents. Spreading Along Coast. Cape Prince of Wales village, second largest in this district, reports about 25 adults and 100 children left of an Eskimo population formerly numbering about 300. Although held in check north of Nome by rigid quarantine regulations the influenza epidemic is spreading rapidly along the entire northern coast. In the region south of the Yukon it is feared that the entire native population has been wiped out due to the presence of the disease a few weeks ago at St. Michael. Among the white population of Seward peninsula there have been no deaths, except one at Teller, in several days. Conditions in Nome are improving rapidly, though the town is under rigid quarantine rules which forbid traveling, public gathering and transportation of mails. Decline in Army Camps. WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. -- Although influenza still prevails in virtually all army camps at home a report today by the surgeon general showed a decline in the number of cases for the week ended December 13, as compared with the preceding week. Total cases were 3630, a decrease of 426. Prevalent in South Dakota. ABERDEEN, S. D., Dec. 20. -- Influenza again is quite prevalent in northern South Dakota. In Aberdeen, while there are a considerable number of cases, the ailment appears to be in a lighter form, and there are fewer cases of pneumonia and but few deaths. To Lift Missoula Quarantine. Missoula, Mont., Dec. 20. -- Missoula's quarantine for influenza as to theaters and other public meetings, except dances, will be lifted Monday if city and county commissioners act favorably tomorrow on recommendations voted tonight by the local medical advisory board. The date for the reopening of the schools has not been set. The theaters are to seat patrons alternately. Six days later, if there is no recurrence of the disease, this restriction will be lifted. Houses placarded until eight days after the patient's temperature becomes normal.