CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2020 - 7

7

COLLEGE

Anschutz Medical Campus uncovered a
real-life account of a nurse who helped
battle the Spanish Flu of 1918 and
survived one of the most devastating
pandemics in history.
Mary Elizabeth Shellabarger, also
known as Bess, was a Colorado nurse
who served in WWI. She was part of
the University of Colorado Red Cross
Unit. When America entered the war
in 1917, many University Hospital
nurses joined the 100 Red Cross
nurses attached to the University
of Colorado Base Hospital No. 29 in
London. They worked in the Northeast
Fever Hospital in Tottenham, caring
for evacuated Americans until 1919.

I hope the whole
hospital will not
get Influenza from
lax precautions in
isolation of the cases."
- Mary Elizabeth Shellabarger

Shellabarger was an Assistant Chief
Nurse in London. Her diary, memorialized in her biography titled Three
Scuffed Suitcases, recounts what it
was like to be on the frontlines of the
Spanish flu and is probably pretty
similar to how nurses feel today battling coronavirus.

1918 SEPTEMBER 24 TH
"Last night we admitted two wards full
of influenza cases from the States, so
terribly sick. The first time I've done
enough work to make my circulation
actually start since coming to London.
Interviewed Colonel Anderson this
am on Infectious Precautions, and
before night had orders for masks to
be worn by all nurses and attendants
in the influenza wards. Those terribly
sick boys first landed from America on
the same steamer we came on, some
twenty weeks ago. I hope the whole
hospital will not get Influenza from lax
precautions in isolation of the cases."

1918 SEPTEMBER 30 TH
"Only one death the night shift . . .
Windows were all opened, wire masks
were provided for the attendants and all
attendants ordered to get into fresh air
five minutes every 3 hours. Gave opiate
for pain and stir only when awake."

1918 OCTOBER 3 RD
Three Scuffed
Suitcases
recounts the life
of Mary Elizabeth
Shellabarger, a
Colorado nurse
during WWI.

"Walked miles to cover ground after 127 patients were admitted. So many
sick nurses too . . . So many nurses sick with Spanish Influenza we hardly have
enough to keep the wards going. My voice is gone but I can now stay with my
work because the chills and fevers I had the first of the week have disappeared.
I can't keep my vow to myself to go to bed when ill - there are too many off
at present.

1918 OCTOBER 4 TH
"Just as I came on duty at 6:45 pm, Miss Orgren died in Ward E, the first to
go from our nursing staff. There was a beautiful tradition of caring for her.
The body of our 'Beautiful Angel of Mercy" was taken to the morgue this
morning and I accompanied it to the door. At evening the body was prepared
and placed in beautiful repose on the couch in the upper reception room,
dressed in white uniform and Red Cross cap covered with protective US Flag
and with her head resting on the Red Cross Flag, the symbol of comfort. The
RC Nurses wreath of white chrysanthemums at the head and the Red Cross
laurel leaf wreath at the foot. Pink roses from army nurse organization and
others on the table at sides and orchid with oak leaves and roses from nurses
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