![]() |
![]() |
VIRUS
|
![]() |
![]() |
Die Zeitschrift "Virus - Beiträge zur Sozialgeschichte der Medizin" ist das Publikationsorgan des Vereins für Sozialgeschichte der Medizin und erscheint einmal jährlich.
|
![]() |
Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
![]() |
|
DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
|
VIRUS Band 22, pp. 109-126, 2023/12/28
Schwerpunkt: Epidemie und Emotion
The Russian Flu not only claimed many lives but also affected public sentiment in various ways. This article examines the emotional responses to the pandemic in Austria-Hungary, drawing primarily on press sources from 1889 to 1895. The new disease initially triggered a mixture of confusion and the need for information which quickly gave way to fear, pity, and resignation, along with exhaustion, depression, and lack of energy. The pandemic also sparked political discontent and economic stress, as well as hostility. Several contemporaries expressed dissatisfaction with some of the press coverage of the disease, accusing journalists of sowing public insecurity. Anti-Semites used this criticism to lash out at Jews once again. Yet, most of the resentment seems to have been directed at the medical profession which could do little to remedy the situation. For some, humor was a way to cope with the disease.
Keywords: Russian Flu, influenza pandemic, sentiment, history of emotions, Austria-Hungary, 1889–1895