The Political, Social and Economic Implications of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic in Queensland
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ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Hodgson, Patrick George (2017) Flu, society and the state: the political, social and economic implications of the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic in Queensland. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/52042/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/52042/ Patrick George Hodgson MPHA BA(Hons 1) Flu, Society and the State: The Political, Social and Economic Implications of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic in Queensland Submitted in fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (History) College of Arts, Society and Education James Cook University April 2017 Figure 1 Frontispiece. Grave of influenza epidemic victim Margaret Shea Glen Innes Cemetery, Glen Innes, New South Wales. The inscription reads: In loving Memory Of Margaret Ellen Beloved Wife of Dallan Shea Died at Wallangarra 24th June 1919 Aged 27 Years “Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus Have Mercy on Her Soul” Margaret died of influenza on 24 June 1919 at Wallangarra, Queensland. Her body was taken by train to Glen Innes, New South Wales and interred at that town’s cemetery. Margaret was only 27 years of age and had been married less than 12 months. Image: 2016, Private collection. The shattered headstone and the unkempt grave are evocative of the shattered lives wrought by the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic and the cultural amnesia surrounding the catastrophe, which was at once so sudden, so devastating and so universal. ii Statement on the Contributions of Others Nature of Contribution Contribution Contributor Proposal writing, Adjunct Professor Russell Intellectual Support Advice and professional McGregor development, Dr Claire Brennan Editorial assistance Professor Peter Leggat AM Stipend Australian Commonwealth Financial Support Minimum Resource Government Allowance James Cook University Lynn Hodgson Editorial Support Proof Reading Christopher Hodgson Dr Rowena Duckworth iii Abstract The influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 was the most serious pandemic in modern world history. Around the globe, tens of millions of people died and hundreds of millions more were infected with a highly virulent virus. Despite the human suffering, the social and economic costs to countries have yet to be fully assessed. Not only did the pandemic impose huge demands on public health systems, it also exacted substantial economic and emotional costs on families, communities and governments which struggled to contain “the scourge”. The possibility of a similar infectious disease outbreak in the future has focused research back to this quintessential pandemic as a foundational model for the likely impacts of a modern-day recurrence. However, much of the research has focused on the United States of America, neglecting the experience of many other regions throughout the world. This thesis aims to address this oversight in relation to Queensland’s experience of the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic. Whilst not discounting the numerous histories on the pandemic’s devastating morbidity and mortality, if one of the most significant disease events in world history is to be fully comprehended then, of necessity, the lived experience of the ordinary person must be appreciated. Officially, nearly one thousand persons are recognised as having died of influenza in Queensland and 13,000 in Australia overall, during the pandemic. Whilst this number pales in significance compared to New Zealand, South Africa and many countries in the northern hemisphere, each death or case of illness was borne by family and friends as well as within the wider community in which the person lived and worked. Based on a critical examination of primary and secondary sources, this thesis provides a nuanced and multi-dimensional analysis of the full gamut of impacts the pandemic had on the state of Queensland and the lived experiences of its people. iv The thesis begins with an outline of the pandemic as it spread around the world, before moving on to examine the powers of the state in matters of public health and the machinery at its disposal to respond to the crisis. The pandemic placed the fledgling federation of Australia in a quandary. The Queensland government felt impeded in its ability to combat the pandemic through the unwelcome interference and centralist attitude of the Commonwealth. Even so, the state government was not in a position to undertake the necessary work on the ground. The government viewed the town and shire councils as ideal vehicles to combat the epidemic that had broken out virtually simultaneously throughout the state, as well as to mobilise the thousands of volunteers, upon whom much of the day to day work in contending with the effects of the disease fell as the epidemic rolled through communities across the state. While the impact on the public health system cannot be overstated, the pandemic period in Queensland coincided with the return of troops from the battlefields of World War One, a state-wide drought and consequent food shortage, labour struggles and maritime strikes, as well as the political tensions and intrigues of a floundering federalism. This thesis elucidates how the pandemic disrupted work and recreation schedules, caused state- wide absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace, as well as creating an overall environment of confusion, panic and resentment. Coming full circle, the thesis ends its examination of lived experiences of the pandemic by looking at the remembrance of its victims. The conclusion reached is that, despite the Australian authorities’ penchant for military sacrifice as the defining symbol of nationhood, public memorialisation of civilians – even those who sacrificed their lives in helping others during the pandemic – has long been regarded as lacking sufficient worthiness. v This thesis is not a history of the epidemiology of influenza; rather it is a historical examination of the lived experience of ordinary Queenslanders during the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic. It provides a compelling snapshot of Queensland society trying to grapple with an unparalleled civil crisis at the close of an unprecedented war. Perhaps the strongest message coming through this history is that whilst actions in a time of crisis may not always define the general tenor of societies, knowledge of a community and its people is just as important as having knowledge of epidemiology or medicine in combating infectious disease epidemics. vi Acknowledgements There are many people, most without even knowing it, who have contributed towards my success at James Cook University since I commenced my studies. My advisers, peers, academic and administration staff of the College of Art, Society and Education, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Directorate of Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement and the Graduate Research School and the many undergraduate and postgraduate students I had the privilege to teach, were all instrumental in my learning and development. Specific mention must go to Sandi, who journeyed with me in the good times and the bad, Rohan and Ryan, two of my roommates over the years and to Dr Mark Chong, who, as Director of Research Education for most of my candidacy, kept his office door open and made himself available when I most needed it. I am grateful to my advisers, Adjunct Professor Russell McGregor, Dr Claire Brennan and Professor Peter Leggat for their encouragement, support and patience. A very special thanks to Lynn, Christopher and Stuart, whose goodwill and love were invaluable. vii Table of Contents Statement on the Contributions of Others ........................................................................ iii Abstract ............................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... viii Table of Figures ............................................................................................................... ix Table of Historical Weight, Measurement and Currency ................................................ xi List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xii Introduction “A Story That Must Be Told.” ................................................................ 1 Chapter 1 “Spanish Influenza. The Worst Scourge in Four Centuries” ........................ 37 Chapter 2 “Not Yet Solved By Science” ....................................................................... 54 Chapter 3 “To think you pay 7/6 a day for this!” .......................................................... 84 Chapter 4 “The Art of Muddledom” ........................................................................... 120 Chapter 5 “Fiddling amid the Flames” ........................................................................ 152 Chapter 6 “like a bush fire through dry grass” ............................................................ 186 Chapter 7 “All women interested and willing to