Oddly enough, influenza wasn't killing nearly as many people as bacterial pneumonia in 1918. Of course, lots of experts say the virus somehow primed victims to be infected by the bacteria, while others say the mandated masking ordinance was to blame.
Interestingly, MJ Rosenau began a series of experiments regarding transmission of influenza that year. While he was focused on Pfeiffer's bacillus as a cause, it's worth noting that methods of diagnosing the flu did not change after the blame was shifted to the influenza "virus," and his methodology should have resulted in transmission of infection regardless of bacterial or viral causation. The fact that none of his experiments resulted in transmission of illness should be taught on day 1 of med school.
Oddly enough, influenza wasn't killing nearly as many people as bacterial pneumonia in 1918. Of course, lots of experts say the virus somehow primed victims to be infected by the bacteria, while others say the mandated masking ordinance was to blame.
Interestingly, MJ Rosenau began a series of experiments regarding transmission of influenza that year. While he was focused on Pfeiffer's bacillus as a cause, it's worth noting that methods of diagnosing the flu did not change after the blame was shifted to the influenza "virus," and his methodology should have resulted in transmission of infection regardless of bacterial or viral causation. The fact that none of his experiments resulted in transmission of illness should be taught on day 1 of med school.