The 1918 Flu Epidemic

This excerpt, from an 1949 issue of the Macklin Times, was written on the death of Dr FB. Elliott, March 26, 1949.)

The 1918 flu epidemic and the terrifying isolation of homesteaders because of distance, has kept Dr. Elliott's name fresh in the memories of many, many people who survived that ordeal. He had good reason to be proud of the outstanding record of "no deaths from influenza" within a radius of 10 to 20 miles of Macklin, especially when we realize that he had no recourse to hospital or trained nurses, other than that of Mrs. Albert Irke with her very limited facilities.

But it was a gruelling ordeal for him. Dr Elliott was Medical Health Officer for Macklin and for the RM of Eye Hill. At the very outset of the epidemic, he insisted that the town authorities enforce strict isolation measures. Train passengers, if they were allowed off the trains at all, were permitted to go only to the restaurant or hotel People phoned in their grocery orders and picked them up outside the stores.

Schools were closed, meetings not permitted John Dawson, Lou Wager Paul Wagar, and others were his drivers at various time. The telephone switchboard took calls, got the land location of the patient, then routed his trips to cover as many calls as possible. Not one of his patients died from 'the flu".

But this did convince Dr. Elliott that a hospital had to be built in Macklin and to this end he devoted his energy and much time. In 1922, the Frank Shaw house was bought and converted into Macklin's hospital, with two nurses comprising the staff.

Dr. Elliott and Father Palm arranged for Dr. Eid to come to Macklin.

The Prairies Remember . . .
Susan Halliday Conly





Last Updated: Sunday, February 10, 2002