The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-12-12
COLLEGE HOSPITAL REPORT
On the Recent Epidemic of Influenza
in Berea College, Fall of 1913.
By r. X. Cowley, College Physician

Iltdl WI Ntiis w. i've tplb'uit was
over Now 3. During that time $50
cases were admitted TO the hospital
and its annexes. and about 20 more
were cared for by DR.. Dudley and
myself in the dormitories and the
homes Of the workers.
OF this large number about IS had
pneumonia and OF these two died.
This we may consider as a remark
able record for Berea, for in other
communities and especially at the
army camps the death rate was very
much higher. Three things were
mainly responsible for our success:
First: the students, not having to
think Of doctors fees and hospital
bills presented themselves early for
treatment. Second: all patients
were kept in bed for at least two
days after their temperature was
normal. These two things prevent
ed exposure which is the cause Of
most Of the complications. The
third important element in our sue
cess was the splendid efficient man.
agement Of the business side of the
epidemic by Dean Clark and Dean
Matheny.
During the summer and fall we
had been watching the course Of the
disease in the army camps and in
other communities where it was
prevalent, and we knew about
what to expect. We felt sure
that we could not escape. but
even so the onset of the cpl
demic was so sudden and its prog
ress was so rapid that it taxed our
ingenuity and resources to the ut
most to meet the emergency.
At the height of the epidemic
about i2 days after it started, there
were $50 cases on our hands at one
time. 80 patients were received /
in one day. The capacity of our {
hospital is only 60. Or. Dudley, the {
two head nurses, and eight of our
ten student nurses were in bed,
and only two student nurses and my
self were left on duty from our :
whole hospital force.
That we did not actually fail at {
this point was due TO the wonder 7
fully efficient cooperation Of our '
fellow workers. We at once asked a
that the resources of the Institu-
ton be put at our disposal and that a
every effort be centered ON the Q
problem of caring for the sick. In i
the course of few days TalcOtt Hall
was turned over to us for use as a
temporary hospital for girls and
10 be used for boys. 5
Dean Clark took charge Of the /
problem of keeping empty beds {
ready and of finding men and wonI- v
en- who could and would come in ?
and take the places Of our nurses "
Who were one by one dropping u
ut and going 10 bed. Just as "
lark got well started with his Il
part Of the work he was b
stricken and Vaughn who took his Fl
)lace also went down in twenty b
our hours. Dean Matheny then 81
ook charge and he proved to be the "
light man for the right place. ! can
lot too highly commend the efficient a
vay in which he handled matters. n
Ie took the whole problem Of n
management of my hands and left b
ne free TO care for the sick. At this W
'oint. too, | was greatly helped by n
he providential presence in town Of OF
,ur former assistant DR.. LIGHT fC
vardt. He recognized the urgent Il
eed and for week worked night
nd day in a most splendid manner.
hope he has received proper OFF, u
ial Acknowledgement Of his SER d.
ices. Sc
All Of our workers and many Of p'
he town peope took hold with VI
UGH unselfish enthusiasm that 1t u
IOuld be hard TO say too much in ="
raise of their work. AS fast as one VI
,ok sick another took his place so "
nat the sick were always cared for. NJ
would like TO mention several W
no were especially helpful, but ="
hey all did so we'll that TO do 50 ~
'ould he unjust TO the ones not az az
'entiOned. will say tho that Miss l
DOper, coming as she did when we ~
ere absolutely without help, was "
% ms, and showed at ~
nee that she was not only a good 20 "a
lrse but a splendid executive. ~
he students came 10 love her as ~ ~
other.
During the whole epidemic Tai wi
Ut Hall and Cumberland Hall were A,
'ed largely for the lighter cases 20
nj cOnvalescents. The more Sc vo
re cases were transferred 10 the yi,
ain hospital where room was ~
ade for them by transferring back en-
kana haA nnaoaI fl hosOhi