The times., 1899-03-13
GREAT INCREASE OF
SPOTTED FEVER Cases
Much Apprehension Felt by
Leading Physicians.
The MaIady Prevails to an Alarm
ing Extent.
It's Ominous Spread Throughout the
Country. Especially in the
Southern states.


centred in the alarmlngly fatal disease,
cerebro- spinal meningitis, commonly
known as spotted fever which has be-
come quite general in this city. Not since
the Civil War has this disease been so
prevalent, and at no other time since the
early ffties, when the disease ravaged
European countries, has it been so prev
alent. Many physicians of high repute
have never treated case of spotted
fever" This fact only serves TO illustrate
the infrequency OF the disease. 1t is
known, though, that the local medical fra
ternity is deeply interested in the develop
ment and progress of the disease and is
watching it very closely. Physicians who
have never attended such patients are con-
feTring with each other, and with medical
men who have had cases, and those wto
have had most experience with cerebral
diseases are most frequently consulted.
When the local medical societies hold their
next meetings il is more than probable
that considerable time will be devoted 10
a discussion OF the various phases of the
epidemic.
Few persons realize the extent TO which
the malady is prevalent. During the last
two weeks nine deaths have been report
ed TO the District Health Department.
This alone has been enough to quicken
the officials of that department, and some
sort of action may be taken by Health Off
GER Woodward this week, although this is
not assured. Nine deaths would not be
very large rate of mortality in d number
OF constitutional diseases where hundreds
Of persons are suffering. but with spotted
fever the case is entirely different, as the
disease is considered by medical men in
all parts of the world as nearly always
being fatal. Usually two or three deaths
occur from spotted fever annually. This
number has been doubled and tripled by
the deaths of only the last two weeks.
Hopes to Stop Its Spreading.
Dr. Woodward is anxious. and, at the
same time, determined to do everything
within his power TO prevent the disease
from spreading, but the question is a diff
hcult one. Physicians agree that spotted
fever is not contagious. II cannot there
fore be classed among diseases of that
order enumerated in the Contagious Dis
ease act, and the Health Department is
| powerless to compel physicians TO make re-
| ports concerning the number of cases
| treated by them. II is very desirable that
this should be done. however, If only for
| the sake Of information, and Dr. Wood
| ward may ask physicians to report all
would necessarily be voluntary.
Washington is not the only place affect
! ed. II seems to be causing apprehension
/ to boards of health in all parts of the coun-
! try. and the entire medical world begins
/ TO fear that the disease viii be sweepingly
! dangerous. II is most general in the South.
I and particularly IN cities situated near
| army camps. Savannah seems TO be cen
| tire, and from that city in a wide circle to
/ been reported. A number of deaths have
I occurred in Baltimore In Philadelphia the
board of health has delegated Dr. Zeiger
| an expert of that city, 10 investigate and
report upon the prevalence of the disease
! in several wards. In that city the disease
is attributed in great measure TO the
drinking Of SchuykilI River water.
Dr. i. NJ. RiXey, surgeon of the United
States Navy. in charge of the Naval Dis
pensary in this city who has treated a
number OF cases OF cerebrn-spinal menin-
/ gifts. including that OF Naval Constructor
Dashiell, the first 10 have the disease here
does not think il contagious. If con
! tagious. the contagion is Of very low Or
! der, he said to a Times reporter. The
! disease seems to be more prevalent now
than at any time within my memory.
have only treated one case here. but have
been informed by other physicians thai
malady.'
Not Due 10 Vaccination.
It was suggested to Dr. Rixey that the
disease might be due to vaccination and h,
was asked for an expert opinion upon tn,
matter Il do not think vaccination ha:
anything 10 do with its appearance" h'
said, g In fact. know that such was no
the case with Naval Constructor DashiclI
whom ! attended.
Dr. W. W. Johnston one of the leadin;
physicians of this city, and who attende,
General Garcia and Lord Herschell, wa
also seen by reporter. The disease i
not sufficiently contagious to be classe,
among that order of diseases. he said. II
is not so by contact. One person may b.
al. cted " III GER brG-sp.nal meningitis an
it would not follow that another persol
would contract the disease by contact 0
association with the patient. 1t is com
muHicative, though and infectious.
would be wise for persons to take precau
tions and not associate with such strickel
persons Of the family too much. / do no
mean that the patient should be locked N
like a smallpox victim and secured benin
iron doors, but he should be isolated,
DR. Johnston seemed to think war condi
tions could produce the disease. The las
time it was prevalent i'll this city" h
stated, was just after the Civil War.
remember that quite distinctly. II was tn
refugee that was mostly stricken ! do no
recall an instance where the refugee so af
fected was colored." Since the Civil Wa
only isolated cases have been noted at diff
fcrent times. This is the first epidemic F"
Spotted fever. which is the same thin