Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-14

ed Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever al
Observation-Disclosures to Three Conven.
lions Selected.
At the quarterly meeting of the Iowa
and Illinois District Medical associa-
ton at the Harper yesterday afternoon
DR.. Lee Weber. of Davenport, read
"A paper on Commissions of the Eve
! ball, " which was discussed by several
mem bers.
Dr. X. c. j. Meyer, of Moline, pre-
scented the leading paper of the day
upon ''Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. y
reviewing the epidemics of this dis
ease in ancient and modern times.
DR.. Meyer thought that surrounding
climate or locality had little to do
with its cause, as IL attacked rich and
poor alike, regardless of their sani-
tary surroundings. In regard to
treatment, DIR. Meyer deprecated the
use of ice and cold applications, and
advocated warmth instead, with sup
portive treatment.
DIR. &. l.. Eyster, of Rock Island,
who opened the discussion on DR..
Meyers paper, thought we were
likely to see more of the disease for
several years, as history showed that
it usually continued for some time
after an outbreak. 1t usually ap-
peared after cold winter, followed
by warm spring, and was a truly
terrific malady. DIR. Eyster regarded
it as specific infectious disease,
caused by the bacillus intercellularis.
and probably introduced through the
nasal cavities. The diagnosis was
not difficult and the treatment was
not promising. The doctor thought
the disease should be regarded as
mildly contagious.
DIR. j. z. Crawford, of Davenport,
gave the history of fatal case, and
exhibited the brain of a patient VIII 0
died in great agony after a brief ILL
ness. The specimen showed extern
sive purulent iniiam nation of the brain
| and membranes. The doctor thought
light cases might be easily confounocd
with pneumonia and typhoid fever,
and had little faith it its successful
treatment.
DIR. w. ID. Allen, of Davenport.
thought where nasal discharges were
present it was probable that infec-
ton entered through the nasal pas
sages, and believed in operating in |
certain cases where pus was present.
DIR. l.. ID. Dunn, OF Moline, had |
been through four epIdemics since |
1862. and ut first strongly entertained |
the contagious factor az a cause, but |
experience had convinced him that it |
was infectious and probably very
mildly contagious. The earlier cases |
in any epidemic were the most viru-
lent. Much could be done to bring |
the milder cases TO successful ter
mination. The public should not be
discouraged or alarmed, as we had |
probably seen the worst of the present |
epidemic. The doctor spoke from an
experience of over two hundred cases
of this disease.
DIR. +. S. Bowman, of Davenport,
differed radically from DIR. Never in
regard to the use of ice and cold, and
considered them helpful, though not
curative. They rendered the pa
tient more comfortable; therefore
they should be used.
DIR. George L. Decker, of Daven-
port, commended the use of ice, aud
spoke of the treatment with
soluble salt of silver as worthy of
trial.
DIR. A. NJ. Beal. of Moline, had had
a numbe of cases, in two of which
the result was yet in doubt, and pre-
ferred cold to warm applications.
DIR. Beal advised the cautious use of
opium with supportive treatment.
DIR. John Swensson, of Moline,
thought great care should be given to
a correct diagnosis. rs no doubt some
cases were incorrectly diagnosed
and unfounded reports of cures made
in consequence. The doctor believed
firmly in the beneficial effects of cold.
DIR. III. Matthey, of Davenport, dis
cussed the bacterial origin of the dis
ease and spoke of lembar puHcture,
the use of ice and calo-
mel with other appropriate remedies.
As to quarantine he thought it was no
more required than in pneumonia or
typhoid fever
Features of Quarantine.
DIR. j. A. De Armand alluded to
he epidemic in the army in the civil
war and in France and Germany and
discussed the beneficial features of
as well rs it burdens
The doctor thought quarantine should
not be applied to cerebro-spinal '
because history showed
hat il was of no utility in its preven-
on ard was founded on, a wrong Z
The causes which pro- l
luce the disease were what should 4
receive attention instead of quaran- +
lining after cases were developed. 4
More attention should be given to
such as dampness {
18th and bad air and the general
health corrected, thereby the greatest C
rood would accrue 10 the greatest
lumber which was supposed to be the v
object of quarantine
Drs. Alien, Meyer and Comegys b
we're appointed committee to pre- "
pare a tabulated report of all cases in s
l. "a q L.. L 4