Germicide rush, 1918 influenza pandemic. Political cartoon showing crowds of people (some named) rushing to a germicide station during the 1918 influenza pandemic. The word 'Influenza' is across top, while the sign is titled: 'Ye Olde and Goode Germ Destroyer'. A stylised germ is shown on a water pump with the text: 'Death lurks at the pump'. The sign also refers to the Elks, a US fraternal order. The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which occurred in several waves between 1918 and 1920, infected one fifth of the world population and killed between 20 and 50 million. This cartoon is signed by the artist (Chas Reese) and dated 1919.