Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

NMHM looks back at the 1918 ‘Spanish flu’ for one Maryland county

Image of Black and white image of hospital beds lined up in rows, occupied by sick people. Emergency hospital during influenza epidemic, Camp Funston, Kansas. (NCP 1603) (Photo by: NMHM.)

The year 1918 proved to be a trying time for people overseas and at home. Still in the midst of World War I, populations were then introduced to another adversary: the “Spanish Flu.” While great medical strides had been made to prevent other deadly diseases, such as smallpox, by the time of the global outbreak of influenza in 1918, the flu virus, or H1N1, had yet to be identified.

The 1918 flu resembled a more severe cold. The symptoms included fever, pains in the head and other body parts, and fatigue. While some patients recovered, others developed more severe and deadly conditions, like pneumonia or meningitis. Perhaps the greatest threat of the 1918 flu was the contagious nature of the virus with approximately one third of the world’s population infected and an estimated 50-100 million global fatalities.

During a virtual “science café” held by the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) last month, NMHM’s Historical Collections Manager Alan Hawk discussed the rapid spread of the 1918 influenza pandemic in a case study on Montgomery County, Maryland.

In 1918, Montgomery County was transitioning from a rural farming community into a suburban area. The county had recently improved its transportation systems connecting railroads and trolley lines to Washington, D.C. for those commuting to work in the city. Less than a month after the first influenza fatality in Washington, D.C., there was an estimated 1,200 cases of influenza in Montgomery County; most cases were within five miles of the railroad or trolley lines.

As we know today, the influenza virus is easily transmitted between those in close proximity to each other, up to about six feet, making the crowded trolleys and trains a prime place for spreading the flu in 1918. This was particularly damaging to the U.S. military, as traveling military personnel often shared cramped quarters in barracks, trains, and trenches.

The devastating impact of the flu in Montgomery County and the surrounding areas drove public health officials to require the adornment of gauze masks in public, and locals to cancel events with large gatherings of people.

While a vaccine wouldn’t be developed for a few more decades, military laboratories and civilian scientists worked tirelessly in 1918 to discover the agent that caused the flu. Autopsies were performed and samples of lung tissue were forwarded to the Army Medical Museum (now NMHM) for further study and preservation. 

Along with the tissue specimens, the museum collected archival and historical materials – for example, photographs showing influenza wards like Camp Funston, Kansas, a possible ground zero for the virus in America, and medical equipment – to illustrate the devastating impact of the 1918 pandemic and the military’s medical response. 

These materials aid today’s researchers in parsing history and understanding the nature of the 1918 flu in comparison to current strains or other viruses. A virtual exhibit shows how DOD scientists used a sample of lung tissue to recreate the genetic sequence of the 1918 virus, and a new teacher’s guide compares the 1918 influenza to COVID-19. Perhaps future studies can help us identify key characteristics of the 1918 influenza pandemic and why it was so deadly.

For those interested in accessing the collections for research, visit the museum’s website.

You also may be interested in...

How COVID-19 Public Health Emergency’s End Affects TRICARE

Article Around MHS
5/16/2023
Immunization Clinic photo

The Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 expired at the end of May 11. You might be wondering what this means about the state of COVID-19 or if there are changes to your TRICARE coverage.

Advances in Prostheses Focus of Medical Museum’s Science Cafe

Article Around MHS
5/10/2023
Jamie Boehm, a certified orthotist prosthetist at Walter Reed, shows a current-day prosthetic during the Science Café's program focused on the Department of Defense (DOD) Limb Trauma Care at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. (Photo: Bernard Little)

Staff from Walter Reed who care for patients with polytrauma injuries and limb loss participated in the Science Café hosted by the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland on April 27.

Lab Professionals Play Key Role in Public Health and Patient Care

Article
5/2/2023
Lab Professionals Play Key Role in Public Health and Patient Care

Lab professionals provide value to the MHS and DHA communities.

Navy Entomology Center of Excellence Arms the Department of Defense’s Experts in the Fight for Public Health

Article Around MHS
4/11/2023
U.S. Air Force Capt. Deanna Scheff (left) receiving pesticide application training from U.S. Air Force Ensign Benfry DeJesus (right) during the largest inter-agency pesticide certification course delivered in nearly five years on Naval Air Station Jacksonville. (Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Nicholas Johnston)

Navy Entomology Center of Excellence staff trained and equipped active duty preventive medicine and civilian pest control personnel representing U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army during the largest inter-agency pesticide certification course delivered in nearly five years on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, Jan. 23.

Protecting Health is Naval Hospital Bremerton Industrial Hygienes Mission

Article Around MHS
4/10/2023
In conjunction with National Public Health week, April 3-9, Defense Health Agency commands like Naval Hospital Bremerton continue to provide protective support with a variety of public health specialty services to ensure the health and wellness of all those entrusted in their care. (Infographic by the Defense Health Agency).

In conjunction with National Public Health week, April 3-9, Defense Health Agency commands like Naval Hospital Bremerton continue to provide protective support with a variety of public health specialty services to ensure the health and wellness of all those entrusted in their care.

Defense Public Health Celebrates Opening of New $248 Million Public Health Laboratory

Article Around MHS
4/6/2023
Army Lt. Col. Scott Vial, Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen Public Health Laboratory project manager, briefs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, outside of one of two anechoic chambers used for radio frequency experiments in the Public Health Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground South. (Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen photo by Graham Snodgrass)

Dignitaries and distinguished guests gathered at Aberdeen Proving Ground South, formerly known as Edgewood, April 5 to celebrate the opening of the Department of Defense’s new Public Health Laboratory at Building E2850.

Public Health Supports the Warfighter, Military Community Worldwide

Article
4/4/2023
U.S. Public Health Service Rear Adm. Brandon Taylor reflects on his first year as director of Defense Health Agency Public Health. He recently led a town hall discussion on the transformation and reorganization of public health capabilities within the DOD at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

U.S. Public Health Service Rear Adm. Brandon Taylor reflects on his first year as director of Defense Health Agency Public Health.

COVID-19 Registry Provides Pandemic Response Insights, Optimizes Patient Care

Article
3/28/2023
COVID-19 Registry Provides Pandemic Response Insights, Optimizes Patient Care

Prior to the pandemic, the DOD began deploying MHS GENESIS, the new federal electronic health record, to improve health care outcomes for our service members, veterans, and their families. Critical enterprise needs quickly came to light to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 disease.

Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

Article
3/22/2023
Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

In support of the Military Health System, the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 is just one global entity that works with local partners to identify and combat global health threats.

Letter to the Editor: Military Health System Exceeded Healthy People 2020 Goal for Rotavirus Vaccination

Article
3/1/2023
Logo800x480MSMR

Letter to the Editor commenting on November 2033 (volume 29 issue 11) MSMR Brief Report, "Pediatric Vaccine Completion and Compliance Among Infants Born to Active Duty Service Members, 2006-2016"

Opinion: Why a Healthy Heart Matters at Any Age

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
National Heart Health Month composite

We often think of heart health as an issue for older people, but heart disease actually affects every age group. Here's some expert advice for developing healthier habits at the earliest age to improve your and your loved ones' odds of better heart health later in life.

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

Toxicologists Hold Vital Role in Protecting DOD Workforce

Article Around MHS
1/20/2023
Toxicologist working in laboratory

Among the DOD's priorities, protecting warfighters from enemy combatants and weapons is critical. But there are other scenarios, when undetected, that pose threat to the health of our military. Find out why that makes the job of a DOD toxicologists so important.

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19

Article
1/19/2023
Gloved hands working in laboratory

The U.S. military has engaged in HIV research for three decades, contributing critical lessons learned, knowledge, and expertise during the COVID-19 research and vaccine development effort.

Public Health Nutritionist Shares Strategies, Resources for Meeting New Year Weight Loss Goals

Article Around MHS
1/12/2023
healthy food infographic

Don't give up on your 2023 resolution to lose weight! We've gathered some unique tips, tools, and strategies to help you stay the course and meet your goals.

Page 1 of 49 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: August 23, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery