Bitter Quinine Tablets were not sugar coated during Spanish Flu Epidemic in 1918, worst epidemic of Flu & people were killed during World war-1 along with other epidemics like Malaria 

Quinine was the only treatment for Malaria

Quinine was given for Prevention from Malaria as a weekly dose of one tablet. 

British soldiers along with Indian soldiers were fighting the war 

And many soldiers refused to take weekly dose of Quinine due to its bitter taste

Soldiers were not killed in war only. 

They were getting killed by malarial parasite as well.

Soldiers did not die due to Spanish Flu which lasted from 1918 to December 1919 ( maximum mortality was in October 1918 ) 

Soldiers on Indian soil were getting malaria & British were worried about Mortality due to 2 diseases- Flu & Malaria.

Our Forefathers were aware about Prevention of Malaria was a weekly Dose of Quinine tablet.

How to give this bitter medicine?

Mix it with Gin !

Cartons of Gin were sent for soldiers from UK

Gin was mixed with Quinine & Served to the Soldiers as a Tonic !

Hence the Name Stayed on but Ingredients of 'Tonic' Kept Changing after wars with enemies ,with each other & with Spanish Flu virus got over.

Our Generation is lucky to get flavored sugar coated medicines 

Use Chloroquine to prevent Malaria & Maybe Get Protection from COVID-19 also.

So far Spanish Flu was the deadliest flu & 

It is Still called Mother of every Flu.

Which Virus was It ?

The Spanish Flu was the first among two Pandemics caused by the H1N1 influenza virus, the second was the Swine Flu in 2009

Aspirin poisoning contributed substantially to the fatalities then

What were the Non Pharmaceutical methods used for prevention of spread 100 years ago ?

Control efforts across the globe included non- pharmaceutical interventions including isolation,quarantine,use of disinfectants,and limitations of public gatherings, which were applied unevenly.

Take Care---

All of above was relevant 100 years ago & we have to learn a lot from history of epidemics of every flu.

Don't forget the role of bitter Quinine + Gin Combination given as Gin Tonic every time you take Gin Tonic today,100 years later when sugar coated Chloroquine is available for adults & flavored syrups are available for the kids.