Influenza Pandemic | Disaster at Home | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

Public health organizations across Canada produced posters like this one (circa 1918) from the Provincial Health Board of Alberta to inform people about the Spanish Influenza or the Spanish flu. This was the name given to the strain of influenza that caused a pandemic in 1918-1919. The text of the poster, which describes how to deal with the contagious nature of the flu an also how to make a DIY mask, is transcribed below.

A black and white poster with bold print is pinned to a door. A small sketch of a man wearing a face mask is in the bottom right hand corner, meant to be instructional and show how to make your own mask. The words "EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA (SPANISH)" are print — (Glenbow Archives, NA-4548-5.)

*The full text of the poster is transcribed.*

**EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA (SPANISH)**

**This disease is highly communicable. It may develop into a severe pneumonia.**

There is no medicine which will prevent it.

Keep away from public meetings, theatres, and other places where crowds are assembled.

Keep the mouth and nose covered while coughing or sneezing.

When a member of the household becomes ill, place him in a room by himself. The room should be warm, but well ventilated.

The attendant should put on a mask before entering the room of those ill of the disease.

TO MAKE A MASK

Take a piece of ordinary cheesecloth 8 x 16 inches, fold it to make it 8 x 8 inches. Tie cords about 10 inches long at each corner. Apply over mouth and nose as shown in the picture.

ISSUED BY THE PROVINCIAL BOARD OF HEALTH

Return to Disaster at Home