In the early years of the 20th century the Braintree Board of Health published its annual report on the number of contagious diseases occurring in Braintree during the year.

In 1918 the report noted the number of influenza cases at 1745, but cautioned that

“Owing to the fact that very cases of influenza were reported by out-of-town physicians and to the additional fact that many cases were not given medical attention.”

Braintree Town Meeting Report 1918

Therefore the numbers were underreported.  The School Department authorized the sole nurse to make daily examinations of pupils because of the epidemic. 39 deaths from influenza in 1918 and 5 deaths the next year.

In 1919, there were 1919 cases of influenza. Other recorded diseases included Chicken pox, Diphtheria, German Measles, Scarlet Fever, Typhoid Fever.

In 1920 there was a case of Smallpox, which resulted in a quarantine locally, the case being refused by the Boston City Smallpox Hospital, due to lack of accommodation, and Braintree had mass vaccination promoted in the town.

In the Braintree Board of Health reports we have numbers for 1918-1920.