Armstrong – Table of Contents

lived on the island for several years and thus constituted a community whose members
were almost universally acquainted with one another – a condition of some advantage,
perhaps, in tracing exposure, contacts and other epidemiological relationships.
Armstrong described the following general considerations about Kelleys Island. Housing
conditions on the island were good, the homes were well separated, of better than average
construction, and the number of houses was far in excess of the requirements of the
winter population. During the winter months, communications with the mainland was
limited; crossing over (the lake) at this time of year was not only difficult, but dangerous
as well. Mail was delivered to the island daily (in season), conditions permitting, by
carriers who resided on the island and who, during the winter months, carried the mail
between the island and Lakeside, a summer resort that was almost entirely deserted in
winter. The island possessed no public water supply, sewer system, theater, moving-
picture theater, restaurant, village pump, streetcars, or other means of public conveyance.
One central school for both grammar and high school pupils, one church conducting
worship regularly during the winter of 1918 and 1920, and another holding services at
intervals, 5 general stores, a butcher shop, a confectionary parlor, two pool rooms, and a
post office afforded possible places of contact for the general public. Ice boating, sleigh
riding, ice fishing, dancing and parties were the chief winter amusements of the younger
people.
The epidemic of 1920, according to Armstrong, began sharply on January 24, reached a
peak on January 31, and then fell somewhat less sharply until February 16 when new
cases practically ceased to appear. Tabulation of the incidence of cases yielded a sharply
rising double-peaked distribution curve with a more gradual fall off. The study began on