Cures and conspiracy
As all our pubs closed people are currently buying more alcohol for home consumption (come on we have all had a glass of two most nights since lockdown? Haven’t we?) It must have been similar in 1918. Dr Kerr wrote to the Newcastle Journal on 14 November 1918, stating that people shouldn’t share their handkerchiefs. (Do people do that?) But then stated that alcohol was not a protection against an attack of influenza, but very much the reverse.
This did amuse me though as a number of the newspapers I looked at did run advertisements for a product that could save you and one that I wouldn’t imagine! The adverts stated that two or three cups of OXO will help you from getting the flu. As it will increase nutrition and maintain vitality in your system and is an effective resistance to the flu.
What followed this advert was something that we have all suffered these last few weeks ‘Toilet Roll Gate’ Yes, the panic buying of toilet products and flour and pasta which caused a serious shortage. Back in 1918 the shortage was of beef flavoured drinks such as OXO and Bovril. Things became so bad that in December 1918 Bovril ran two adverts in the newspapers to stop the panic buying. They tried to put the onus of deaths on panic buyers and the military for not releasing soldiers from active service quickly enough. What does strike you when you read their adverts is the number of times they mention their product. A Marketing Executives dream!
Unselfishness
There is a simple way of helping others during the present influenza epidemic.
It is to refrain from buying Bovril if you have a stock in the house which will carry you on even for a month.
In this way you will leave available Bovril in the shops for those who have the illness at home.
Bovril Ltd. recognising that those who are deprived of the body building power of Bovril may easily fall victims to the epidemic. We are doing our utmost to increase supplies.
But the lack of bottles seriously hampers their efforts and it is hoped that men will soon be released for the bottle factories so that there may be once again Bovril for all.
AND
On Behalf of Invalids
It is deeply to be regretted that the influenza epidemic coincides with a shortage of Bovril.
On behalf of the invalids, Bovril Ltd. wish to thank all those who refrain from buying Bovril during this period. The unselfish action of those consumers allows the available supplies to go to those who stand in great need of Bovril.
More bottles of Bovril will be available early in the New Year.
Another product doing the rounds to help people after the flu was called Ker-Nak. They advertised this as follows:-
After Flu comes that nervous disability, that loss of appetite, loss of sleep and energy. To really get well and strong this spring make up your mind now and try KER-NAK. The new wonderful twin medicine – the tonic and laxative in one. So tone up and repair with KER-NAK.
Whilst searching the newspapers for these blogs I also came across the usual conspiracy theories.
A member of the Local Food Vigilance Committee was reported in the newspapers of 25 November 1918: “… the influenza was caused by bad bacon and added a local doctor had treated 400 patients for swine flu and not influenza.”
Whereas Alan Wilson MD from Argyllshire had a letter published in the Newcastle Journal 7 November 1918: “The current outbreak of influenza may have been caused by enormous amount of nitrogen gas set free by 1000’s of tonnes of explosives used in the war.” He claimed that as it is a chief component in explosives, nitrogen could cause irritation of the mucous membranes of air passages and also of the nervous system. He signs with his name and that he is in his 80th year and convalescing from an attack of flu.
I could go on but hope you have enjoyed this glimpse back to 1918 and can see the similarities to 2020 and the strange situation we are all finding ourselves in.
