Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-03-15
Meningitis.
NrEnruiyo coanuNoArioS rAoh A "a
vAsNAm PHYSICIAN.

Some days ago we published q card ~
Or. J. j. Knott, Of Atlanta, on the treat
ment of spinal meningitis, and ma the fol-
lowing, clipped from the Savannah News,
has some bearing on that card, we give II
q place In our columns: t..
During the past week we have heard Of
several cases of meningitis In this city,
some Of which resulted fatally. We also
learned that n post mortom examination
Of ono Of the latter had been made at tho
Savannah hospital by DR.. j. O. Thomas,
in the presence Of several known physi-
cians. In view Of the interest that is felt
concerning any reliable information rs to
the origin, symptoms and treatment OF
this terrible disease, We addressed note
to DR.. Thomas In reference to the matter,
| soliciting an expression Of his views, and
also ca Hing his attention to card Of DR..
j. j. Knott, OF Atlanta, prescribing
method Of treatment, pronounced Is bo
the best, and giving some explanations as
to the charter OF the disease. To this re-
quest We received the following reply,
which will be read with great interest by
the public generally, as II contains infor-
nation of great Importance. AS the an
swer is so comprehensive and satisfactory
we submit IL without further comment:
SAVANNAH, Feb. 10, 1873.
DEAR SIR-Your note is at hand re-
questing my views upon the subject Of
meningitis, and asking the result Of II
post morten examination of this disease,
which you say you have just learned
made al this hospital.
| have no opinion about this malady
which can in any sense, be regarded AZ
peculiar-not with regard to its treatment,
but in view Of its somewhat widespread
prevalence, am willing TO throw out some
we'll established time hints, which you
seem TO think may be Of some good TO the
public.
As the name (menir gitis) of tbs dis $50
implies, it is an inflammation of the moa-
ingtis (or membrane Of the braiH aui
spinal cord. 1t is, therefore, more pr0T
erly called cerebro-sp nal meningitis.
The communica tion VI DR.. Knott, TO
VIII ich you call my a cntion, seems dis
pute the idea Of its being an inflammation
lie says, addressing himself lophy ysioiens,
that we "must discari The indea Of lis be-
ing an inflammation and treqt Il aceorl-
ingly l have only had The opportunity
VI III ou'otsg oHb' 'h'oNiA S'sfI
but am free to say that there we're ab1n-
dant evidences of inflammation in this
case. opened the brain and examined
every particle of it in the presence of sew.
eral of our physicians, and there was but
one opinion expressed, which was that 1T
was high grade of inflammation OF osr-
tainly two OF the membranes--the ayGcb-
mold and the pianldter, which are the two
inner membranes lining the bi ain. These
Two membranes extend into the spinal
column, which we also examined and
found the same results of infammatory
action there. Now, these are portions Of
he convolutions or sulci, as they are call
I'd, where these membranes do not obtain,
md in these we found no evidence of in
showing that ii is confined to
hose membranes, particularly to the
lrdchaoid.
As far as my observation goes, which
las not been very large, it appears to be
winter disease, and more likely to prevail
n cold, damp seasons of winter or early
prng. ! do not ever remember seeing
use in summer, and am very much in
lined to the opinion that the large ma
orty of the cases can be traced to expo
ure. In some places for years past, both
n this country aud in Europe, it has ex-
ibited decided epidemic ,,te ndency, and
Or this reason physicians nave assigned to.
specific cause Ii may have speific
ause ia poison, for instance, lurking in
he atsmopherej, but if so like the cause
many other diseases, We have never foInd
out. But, as remarked above, the only
xising cause that have been able to as
ign to it is exposure to cold and damp
ess and therefore great care should
c exercised in this regard, and parti,u-
,rly to avoid cold, damp drafts of air
,hile sleeping, and after getting wet to
hange to dry clothes as Soon as possible.
AS regards The treatment of this disease,
~ impressions are that most Of the reme
les that have been sugge sted, and the
lans of treatment laid down "sure cures"
ave thus far proved very unsatisfactory.
IL the cases certainly cannot be treated
like with any probality of success. The
hysicans must be governed by the cir
nmstances of each case as he is called to
lem. What would do one good would kill
mother, and therefore no routine of treat
ent can be laid down, but the good judg-
ent of the physician must guide him,
nd if he has not good judgment he has
0 business attempting the management
case of cerebro spinal meningitis.
oupg persons are supposed to he more
able to itthan others, particularly young
en- from fifteen to twenty-five years.
l am yours respectfully,
J. g. THOMAS, Nj. ID.