Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-19

.During last and the present Siufer an epideaic
exiTaofdn Eily fatal nas shOwn itseif in different
sections OF at least I've OF the Northwestern
States and in different parts a our State.
II seems 70 puzzle the physicians both IN ITS
classification and treatment, aud excites amongst
the people the greatest uneAsiness ard alarm.
IL has been sariousiv named. In some sec
tons il j. called epidemic meningitis in 9th
ers. "srysipeltous cereoro spinal meningitis;
still IN Others. spotted fever" li.s
The most intelligent Of our physicians regard
10 as a definite disease. differing "a a ieE impor
and essential particulars from any disease de
scribed in the books. yet resembling IN tie main,
the recognized epidemic meningitis. which has
prevailed in many parts of Europe within the
last century, as well a. in various sections of our
own country.
Both Of the diseases are considered epidemic.
aud dependent upon meteorological causes. Both
prevail mainly in the winter season. aud seem 20
have A close connection with rapid vicssitGdes OF
weather Extreme cold, suddenly followed By
thaw. sIush and mud Is found TO favor tb~r de
velOpment.
! Epidemic meningitis Is found 70 attack mostly
/ the younger part Of the communities, whilst
spotted fever Is indscriminate IN It's choice
/ The rich the poor. the young and old alike be
come its 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, vet the peculiar
poison or morbid material differ in the dis
eases about as much those of the typhus and
typhoid fevers differ from eIch other. Neither
disease has been proven contagious
! When this fever appears in A section Of the
I country, persons several miles remote. who have
not pursed or had any connection with the ds
ease seem as liable and are as frequently attack
ell "a those coming in immediate contact with it.
] The disease is generally ushered in without any
previous indlspOstiOn, by slight rigor or series
Of rigors. or by protracted chill followed by
more or less fever. pain IN the head. most
usually in the back OF the head Sometimes the
pain is in one OF the extremities some other
part of the body; occasionally violent vomiting
Of bile or deprAved matter occurs, all followed
ia the course of four, eight, twelve or twenty
four hours by derium, not unirequently by
total loss Of Consciousness la nine tenths OF the
cases the head is drawn firmly backwards or to
one side The pupil of the ewes become dilated,
often one more than the other
In 4 large number OF eases the extremities be-
come cold whilst the back and head are not.
j In many instances death closes the scene within
from twenty four TO sixty hours, whilst other
cases linger much longer and then de- and still
others rally from the more threatening features
of the disease 20 pass into low irritable form OF
fever and recover after illness OF forty or htts
davs
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
4 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 sparseiy OH the other parts OF the BODY.
Ihev vary in size from n mere point 10 a bali an
inch or more in diameter The color varies from
livid to red. They not more regular in form
than in size or color.
We nave thought It proper 10 say thus much
Of this epidemic 10 give the people something OF
an idea Of IL nature and prevent them from im
aein.ug every slight indisposition they may have
is veritabe 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 subiucients. as mustard turpentine,
red pepper:&c to the backbone, TO the extrem
tiles. and indeed 70 the whole surface Take a
dose-say two tabespoonsful-Ot castor
OIL and forty or fifty drops OF turpentine, and
drink moderately OF hot whisky or brandy toddy
until they get their medical adviser.