“In 1919, the hospital was visited by the terrible ravages of the pneumonic influenza which was sweeping the world at the time. There seems to have been two strains involved – one less deadly than the other. Dr. MacDonnell’s report gives some very sobering statistics” Troubled Asylum; R. W. Gowlland.
For the hospital this created a major strain with many in the community becoming sick including many staff. It’s also interesting to note that female staff once married at this time were not allowed to continue working in the hospital, so those with sick families at home didn’t have work obligations, leaving the nursing to those who weren’t married. There were 108 cases of the weaker strain recorded and 42 cases of the more severe, the later taking 11 lives including the Sub-Matron. In all there were 18 staff and 24 patients affected by the severe strain.
