Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-07
Iron shs louisville DspesF-i.I E


During last and the present winter an epidemic
extraordinarily fatal has shown itself in different
sections OF at least Eve Of the Northwestern
States and in different parts OF our State.
u seems TO puzzle the physicians both in its
classification and treatment, and excites amongst
the people the greatest uneasiness and alarm.
IL has been vsricusly named. In some sec
tons it is called epidemic meningitis" in 9th
ers. ''erysipeItous cerebro spinal meningitis"
still in others, spotted fever"
The most Intelligent of our physicians regard
il as definite disease, differing in few impor
tant and essential particulars from any disease de-
scribed in the books. yet resembling in The main,
the recognized epidemic meningitis" which has
prevailed in many parts of Europe within the
last century, well as in various sections Of our
own country.
Both Of the diseases are considered epidemic,
and dependent upon meteorological causes. Both
prevail mainly in the winter season, aud seem 10
have n close connection with rapid vicissitrdes of
weather. Extreme cold, suddenly followed by
thaw, slush and mud. is found to favor their de-
velopment 80
Epidemic meningitis is found TO attack mostly
the younger part OF the communities, whilst
spotted fever is indiscriminate in its choice.
The rich, the poor. the young and old alike be
come It's subjects.
Both diseases seem to depend upon some NOR
bid material generated within the system. which
poisons the blood and mainly expends itself upon
the brain and spinal marrow, yet the peculiar
poison or morbid material differ in the two dis
eases about as much rs those of the typhus and
typhoid fevers differ from each other. Neither
disease has been proven contagious. -
When this fever appears In section OF the
| country, persons several miles remote who have
not nursed or had any connection with the dis
ease seeru as liable and are as frequently attack
ed as those coming in immediate contact with it.
/ The disease is generally ushered in without any
previous indispositon by a slight rigor or series
OF rigors, or by protracted chill followed by
more or less fever. severe pain In the head, most
usually in the back of the head. Sometimes the
pain is in one of the extremities or some other
part Of the body; occasionally violent vomiting
Of bile or depraved matter occurs, all followed
in the cosrse of four, eight, twelve or twenty
four hours by delirium, or not unirequently by
total loss Of consciousness La nine tcnths of the
cases the head is drawn firmly backwards or to
one side. The pupil of the eyes become dilated,
often one more than the other. ~
In large number Of cases the extremities be-
come cold whilst the back and head are hot
In many instances death closes the scene within
from twenty-iour to sixty hours, whilst other
cases linger much logger aud then die: aud still
Others rally from the more threatening features
of the disease TO pass into low irritable form of
fever and recover after an illness of forty or fifty
days.
The spots, which give to the disease its popu-
lar name. appear within the first day or two of
the attack. They are not always present. but in
a sufficient proportion of the cases to justify the
name. They are most abundant on the face.
neck aud upper part of the chest, but show them
selves sparsely on the other parts OF the body.
They vary in size from a mere point 10 half an
inch or more in diameter. The color varies from
livid to red. They are not more regular in form,
than in size or color.
We have thought it proper to say thus much
of this epidemic to give the people something OF
an idea of its nature, and prevent them from i'm
aginiug every slight indispositon they may have
is veritabIe attack of this fearful epidemic.
Should they be attacked IN mode resembling
the ordinary symptoms OF this disease. we are as
sured the best they can do is to apply the most
stimulating subfucients, as mustard. turpentine,
red pepper. Csc. to the backbone, to the extrem
tiles. and, indeed, TO the whole surface. Take a
dose-say one or two tablespoonsful-of castor
oil and forty fifty drops of turpentine, and
drink moderately of hot whisky or brandy toddy
until they can get their medical adviser.