Produced by the University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan Library

Influenza Encyclopedia

The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919:

A Digital Encyclopedia


Cleveland, Ohio

50 U.S. Cities & Their Stories

On September 22, the people of Cleveland received their first official warning of the impending influenza epidemic from City Health Commissioner Dr. Harry L. Rockwood. United States Army Surgeon General William Gorgas had notified Rockwood of the disease’s spread and the likelihood of it soon arriving in Cleveland.1 Despite the warning, Cleveland was slow to act. It was not until October 4 that City Director of Public Welfare Lamar T. Beman directed Rockwood to undertake a survey of local influenza conditions and to draft a citywide plan of action for precautionary measures against the disease.2

St. Alexis Hospital at 5163 Broadway Ave, SE. Click on image for gallery. St. Alexis Hospital at 5163 Broadway Ave, SE.

Original content created by the University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine.
Document archive maintained by Michigan Publishing of the University of Michigan Library | Copyright statement.
For more information please contact mpub-help@umich.edu | Contact the Editors
Return to the Essay ×

Cleveland, Ohio

Timeline of Events

Excess Death Rate (per 100,000) Daily EventsClick day to view details. Selected Event
graphNational
200Excess Death Rate (per 100,000)
180 
160 
140 
120 
100 
80 
60 
40 
20 
0 
Total Excess Death Rate 474
Total Deaths per 100,000 population over duration of epidemic (roughly 1918 September 14 through 1919 February 22).
 19181919
 AugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchApril
Sa273101724317142128512192629162330714212841118251815221815222951219
Fr2629162330613202741118251815222961320273101724317142128714212841118
Th2518152229512192631017243171421285121926291623306132027613202731017
We243171421284111825291623306132027411182518152229512192651219262916
Tu2330613202731017241815222951219263101724317142128411182541118251815
Mo2229512192629162330714212841118252916233061320273101724310162431714
Su21284111825181522296132027310172418152229512192629162329152330613

September 21, 1918

The citizens of Cleveland receive their first official warning from Health Commissioner Dr. Harry L. Rockwood regarding the possibility of a Spanish influenza epidemic in the city. Rockwood urges people to take several precautions, including covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing, and advises the ill to avoid public places like theaters and churches.