Advertising, remedies, and treatments for influenza in the Spanish press (1918-1920)

Introduction: The aetiological ignorance of the 1918 flu, added to the high mortality that it caused, led to the appearance of a multitude of drugs and health products to tackle it. Objective: To analyze the advertisements that were published in the Spanish press during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Methodology: A selection of advertisements containing the concept 'influenza' was made in the newspapers of the digital newspaper library of the National Library of Spain, between January 1, 1918 and December 31, 1920. Results: There was an increase in the frequency of publication of advertisements, which were characterized by the description of the product to be offered and its validity against the epidemic of flu. Conclusions: It is observed the great advertising coverage that newspapers gave to the influenza epidemic of 1918 and the large number of advertisements that emerged to cure the disease, which produced a huge impact on spanish society.