The worst Influenza pandemic in the last 100 years occurred in 1918; an estimated 50-100 million people died worldwide. However, reports from both chiropractic and osteopathic doctors indicate a much lower death rate for those patients who received spinal manipulation. Charles Masarsky, D.C. states that the death rate for standard medical care was 5-6 percent, whereas the death rate for osteopathic care was 0.25 percent. Chiropractic historian Walter R Rhodes, D.C. reports that “[n]ational figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of 54 patients—one out of every 886.” The implication is that spinal subluxations depress the immune system, whereas correcting subluxations assists immune function. This conclusion has been strengthened by recent research that shows a link between chiropractic adjustments and improved immune response. Both history and research show that regular spinal adjustments are an important part of maintaining optimal health.