Quarantine in the Early Twentieth Century U.S.
"School Opens after Pitched Battle with General Influ-enza," Silver and Gold, vol. 27, no. 1 (11 November, 1918).
In a 1918 edition of the University of Colorado Boulder’s campus newspaper, the front cover reads in dark bold ink: “School Opens After Pitched Battle with General Influ-enza” (The Silver & Gold, 1918). This article was printed just five weeks after the first case reached Boulder on September 19th, reporting the recommencement of classes and campus activities (Danish 2020). Though the original author of this specific article is unknown, The Silver and Gold newspaper was the first student newspaper at the University of Colorado. Launched in 1892, student journalists have continued to cover all aspects of the University, bringing light to campus life, and helping their fellow Buffaloes better understand their community (Mullane 2019).
At the time when this article was originally published, not only would 675,000 Americans die from the Spanish flu pandemic (CDC 2018), the First World War had just concluded, forcing America to undergo significant societal, economic, and cultural changes (Hindley 2017). As the students’ main media outlet and source of public news, this Silver & Gold article served to not only enlighten the student body about the reopening of campus but also to encourage its readers to have trust in the University and the city of Boulder. Having to contain a highly deadly and contagious disease is no easy task, which understandably left many worried about theirhealth and safety. However, with the quick and efficient actions taken by CU to build additional makeshift hospitals and rehouse on-campus residents, students, staff, and family members, the community was quick to support the public health decisions made by the University (McNamee 2022). Another motive for the author to write this article is to indirectly promote social distancing and quarantine. If this piece were to reach a broader audience such as nearby cities or even other regions of the country, it could prove the effectiveness of social distancing practices and encourage others to follow in CU’s footsteps.
Back then, the "germ theory," which argues that diseases caused by the invasion of the body by microorganisms, was still relatively new (Stewart 1968). Medical research was still unaware that a virus caused the Flu and some physicians and researchers believed that the Haemophilus influenzae bacterium caused influenza (Gavin 2019). They believed that maintaining a clean heart, clean intestines, and warm feet could shield you from the flu because they had not fully accepted germ theory (Gavin 2019). So, it is evident that science has progressed since then. However, it's amazing how similar our population density is now, which has a big impact on the transmission of infectious diseases.
The influenza epidemic of 1918–1919 struck the United States as they were in the midst of a massive transition into a more urbanized, technologically-advanced nation, which has been recently compared to that of the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview appearing in Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine, CU Boulder Professor of Distinction in the Department of History Susan Kent delves into the similarities and differences between the two public health epidemics that occurred over a century apart. Speaking during the height of the outbreak, in the pre-vaccine COVID-era of April, 2020, Kent points out that, although technology and medicine have vastly improved since the influenza pandemic, the best course of action in the "absence of treatment or a vaccine, social distancing and quarantine are the best means of containing pandemic illness" (Kent, Colorado Arts & Science, April 2020).
- Ethan James, Fall '22
The effects of disease on a community can bring life to a halt and this sentiment has been felt throughout the centuries. Most recently, the world has suffered a pandemic from Covid-19 that left people in quarantine and shut down everything including the University of Colorado, Boulder. However, CU Boulder was left in a very similar situation a little over 100 years ago and had to establish similar restrictive measures. This was in response to a pandemic of influenza that killed 20-40 million people worldwide (Kindick, 2020). The Silver and Gold Newspaper was a student run magazine that was meant to inform the students and community of Boulder about what was happening. Above is a clipping from the campus newspaper that talks about the university finally ending the quarantine and resuming activities to normal. All of this happened during the tail end of the First World War, which was officially over the day of the printing of this article leaving students feeling invigorated by peace and the freedom from a deadly disease.
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 is thought to have originated in the Midwest of the United States during March of 1918 (Byerly, 2014). It spread through training camps and would follow the engines of war as the United States deployed troops. However, the worst was yet to come when it reached the warfront in Europe. Carol Byerly writes that, “In the wretched conditions of trench warfare, however, the virus flourished, mutating into an especially virulent strain” (Byerly, 2014). A secondary wave of the virus would follow causing more deaths than before and cases skyrocketed worldwide. The mutated virus would return to the US port of Boston and from there it spread west. Once again, it spread through training camps which facilitated the ubiquity of the virus through troop movements (Byerly, 2014). CU Boulder had contracted with the war department to give SATC soldiers specialized training (Danish, 2020). When they arrived on campus on September 19, 1918 they had brough the flu with them.
The soldiers then took residence in the Sigma Chi and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity houses in order to isolate themselves (Danish, 2020). But with students returning, their early attempts at quarantine were futile and the outbreak spread into the community. As cases rose Boulder issued a general quarantine on October 7 in the Boulder Daily Camera which suspended, “Schools, Church’s, Movies, Poolhalls”. This was the only real strategy for containing the disease in Boulder and the decision to do it was met with much deliberation by officials. It was taken as a standard for what other communities were doing at the time (Boulder Daily Camera, 1918). It was also seen as the best interest for the community in order to save lives despite the cost it would take to enact a quarantine. Since teacher’s salaries continued it was expected that they would work with health workers, which the principal readily committed his staff to. They went door to door to assess the conditions of people and to monitor the outbreak. The Boulder Daily Camera also posted the names and addresses of people who were sick (Kindick, 2020). These efforts would continue for almost two months.
For nearly two months under quarantine students were unable to go to school and do any of the activities within the community. This disease was devastating for the community killing somewhere between 80-120 people in Boulder (Domico, 2021). But since there wasn’t much understanding by the public of viruses and how to treat the disease, the only thing to be done was to limit exposure. All this time in isolation presumably left students just as anxious about the virus and to continue class as they were during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article within the Silver and Gold shows the excitement that must have been happening that day. Not only had one of the most devastating wars to ever happen just been ended but a virus which had gripped the community with fear was subsided enough to allow people back to their daily lives. The sentiment behind the article saying, “the unquenchable spirit of the Silver and Gold would pervade the campus as in glorious years gone by” (Silver and Gold, 1918). This signifies how much the school had been through and how hopeful the future looked to continue this spirited legacy.
- Luke Young, '23
These Premises are Quarantined on account of Scarlet Fever and Notice - Diphtheria in this House. Early twentieth century. Rare and Distinctive Collections, CU Boulder Libraries.
The public health posters seen here are artifacts from the early twentieth-century U.S. The exact date and origin of the signs are unclear, but they were likely created between the late 1800s and early 1900s (Tognotti, 2013). The author or artist of the signs is unknown, though they are typically marked as having been issued by Medical Officers of Health or the Local Board of Health. These posters are warnings about Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. The "These Premises Are Quarantined on Account of Scarlet Fever" poster may have been created by the Connecticut Health Office circa 1910 (Connecticut Health Office, 1910), while the exact origin of the "Notice Diphtheria in This House" poster is unknown.
The posters were printed notices designed to be displayed in public areas to inform individuals about the presence of infectious diseases and the need for quarantine measures (Tognotti, 2013). The signs were printed on various paper types, including red, purple, and white. They used bold black text to convey their message and were typically small, measuring around 8.5 x 11 inches. Both posters are printed notices with bold black text on colored paper, measuring approximately 9 x 12 inches for the scarlet fever poster and 8.5 x 11 inches for the diphtheria poster.
The posters featured simple designs with minimal imagery. Most posters included a warning statement, such as "These Premises Are Quarantined on Account of Scarlet Fever" or "Notice Diphtheria in This House," accompanied by instructions on preventing the spread of the disease. The posters were designed to be attention-grabbing and convey the disease's seriousness to the public.
The scarlet fever poster features bold, black lettering on a white background with a simple image of a house. It warns that "all persons are forbidden to enter or leave these premises without the permission of the health Officer under penalty of law" (Connecticut Health Office, 1910). The diphtheria poster is similar in design, with bold black text on purple paper warning that the house is infected with diphtheria and that nobody should enter or leave the premises without the permission of the Medical Officer of Health.
These signs are part of a broader historical trend of using visual aids to educate the public about infectious diseases and their prevention (Tognotti, 2013). For example, similar posters and signs were created for smallpox, measles, whooping cough, and Poliomyelitis. The artifacts used in these public health campaigns included handbills, forms, public notices, signs, education circulars, and pamphlets.
Similar signs were seen in other parts of the United States, including New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Connecticut, in the late 1800s. These signs indicated that a case of diphtheria had been reported in the home and that all visitors should avoid entering or leaving the premises (Roberts, 1911).
The disease warning signs were primarily aimed at the public, particularly those who may have encountered individuals infected with a particular disease. The signs were displayed in public areas, such as homes, schools, and community centers, to inform people about infectious diseases and provide instructions on preventing their spread.
The warning signs reflect how society viewed disease and healing in the early 20th century (Curtis, 1900). Then, infectious diseases were a significant public health concern, and officials relied heavily on quarantine measures to prevent their spread. The posters underscore the importance of educating the public about disease prevention while highlighting the stigma and fear associated with infectious diseases at that time. The use of these posters underscores the historical importance of quarantine measures in controlling the spread of infectious diseases while also highlighting the need for education and access to treatment and preventive vaccines for the entire population at risk.
- Lucy Orgolini, Spring '23