Medical personnel battling the 1919 Spanish Flu. Courtesy of the St. James Cathedral Archives
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Resource ID
7843
Access
Open
Credit Line
Image: St. James Cathedral Archives
Keywords
Spanish Flu, medical history, hospital
Program Category
Marketing and Communication
Rights
Public domain
Caption
Medical personnel battling the 1919 Spanish Flu. Courtesy of the St. James Cathedral Archives
Description
Over its history, Toronto has seen a number of epidemics. In 1918, influenza struck the city with thousands of people contracting the virus. Hospitals soon reached capacity and two hotels were turned into emergency hospitals. Toronto's local board of health and medical officer mandated the closure of schools and other public places. The public was also asked to wear masks. As a result of the pandemic, the Canadian Government formed the Department of Health in 1919.