The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-01

lynt al inc UeRluuluR VI 4oIaJh COubIueE-
able number OF fatal cases was reported;
but 1t is as an epidemic that 1t has of late
years attracted the special attention Of
physicians. These epidemic Visitations
are occasionally confined within very
narrow geographical limits; while at 9th.
er times, as was the case in France be-
tween 1887 and 1919, they spread success
sively over extensive regions. Their oc.
currence would appear to be altogether
independent Of any mOrbifc agency refer.
able to peCuliarities Of climate, season or
locality. According to Mr. ROllet, who
described the disease as 1t occurred at
Nancy, it presents itself under two forms,
in the one there is no sign Of lesion Of the
nervous centres themselves; no affection
OF sensation or motion, though there arc
all the symptoms oil inflammation Of the
membrane at first rigors, then malaisC, a
DINING in the ears, vertigo, violent pain
in the head and along the vertebral COL
umn, agitation, restlessnesS, slight deliri-
UNI and sometimes moderate fever. In
the second form there is affection Of the
intellectual faculties, also Of the functions
Of sensation and motion, with more or
less complete abolition Of tho senses. In
this latter from the appearances upon
dissection were vRscularity Of the cerebral
mcmbrance. The cerebrum was slightly
punctated, but not softened. The Cere-
bellum was soitened.. Beneath tho spinal
membrauce there was purulent matter,
the same as beneath tho cerebral. The
substance Of the spinal cord appeared
healthy.
"The LESSONS here described exactly
correspond with those described by ply
sicians who studied the disease as 1t pre-
vailedtat Versailles, Avignon anil Stras-
burg. According to DR. Mayne's lnteres-
ting account of the disease as it occurred
in ireland during the year 1916. the seri-
GUS membrancC covering the brain and
spinal marrow was invariably found to be
the seat OF extensive Inflammation.
1.-THE first symptoms are very tormida-
Die, and the attack Is very sudden. In a
large number Of cases the patient Is In or.
binary health and spirits up to the very
moment Of the seizure. experiencing no
premonitory symptoms to warn him Of
danger, the disease all at once declaring
itself. Very generally, however, the at
tack is preceded by more or less pain in
the head, especially in tho forehead,
temples or occiput. The pain Is usually
constant, but sometimes remittent, or
even Intermittent. Pain Is sometimes ex
perienCed In the back Of the neck and
along the course Of the spine, with Gsense
Of soreness In the limbs and joints. In
some cases the attack Is preceded by gid.
diness, with or without dlmness Of vision.
Occasionally the attack begins with an
ague succeeded by slightly increased
heat Of the surface, and pain, extending
from between the shoulders to the occi-
put, with stiffness Of the posterior cervi-
cal muscles. In other cases the patient
may exhibit pallor OF countenance, cold
ness OF the cxtremities, low moaning or
mutterlpg delirium, quickly succeeded
restlessness; flushing OF the face, frequent
pulse, q wild expression Of the eyes, and
hot, dry skin. In other cases the disease
may be ushered In by lassitude and unea.
siness, considerable prostration, and o
dull, heavy pain in 1.-THE head, with verti-
60; eyes languid and half closed, artlcu-
Iation laboriOus and indistlnct. Occa.
stonally the patient Is suddenly attacked
with deep coma, or with more or less stu
por, extreme debility, giddiness, dimnesS
Of sight or double vision. Or the attack
may commence with severe pain in the
abdomen, Immediately succeeded by nau.
sea, and perhaps vomiting.
I'm violent attacks Of this kind the ex.
tremeties become cold and Of q blush
color, and tho pulse reduced to a mere
thread.
"Whatever may be the initiatory symp.
toms they are replaced, sooner or later,
by state of violent agitation, followed by
stupor, with q slow, full pulse, and dilG-
tel and Immovable pupils. When in this
condition, touching any portion Of the
body will sometimes cause q short, plain
tive cry; at others, the patient utters
acute cries and carries his hand frequent
ly to the head. Delirlum Is very com
monty present from an early period Of the
attack. In the majority Of cases there L
more or less intolerance Of light and
sound. In some complete blindness Of
one or both eyes. In some cases there Is
partial or complete deafness. An exalted
sensibilily Of the surface Of the body Ia
very generally present. The patient
winces upon the slightest touch, even Of
the bed clothing. Diminished feasibility
and confirmed Btupor are always indlca-
tions OF imminent danger. Sometimes
the respiration Is irregular and difficult
There Is often Unsuitable thirst, with great
tenderness upon pressure. The most
striking symptom Of cerebro.splnalmenln'
gifts Is that presented by tho muscular
system. The muscles Of the neck become
rigidly contracted, drawing the head
back and firmly fixing 1t in that position
RIgidity Is very common In the muscles
of The extremities; In some epidemica the
muscles OF the whole spine from the occi
put to the sacrum, being so violently con,
tracted as to force the spine backwards