The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-04-20
cERBBRo-sPINAL MENINGITIS,
By Dr. Lindsley, Secretary of State
 Board of Health.

By Dr. Lindsley, Secretary of State
 Board of Health.
 r This disease was first described as epidemic in Geneva in 1895. and ap- peared in 1906 in MedfieId, Mass. This we'll illustrates it's migratory character; from one continent to another in a year. In sporadic from it sometimes re- mains epidemic for several successive years in region, and then will wholly disappear for a period of years. In epidemic form it is very cratic. It suddenly terrifles a community in widely separated places which have no recognizable relationship; in cities generally, mostly though not exclusive ly in unilygienic localities. It rarely attacks infants or the aged. It is an infectious disease. Itis germ disease. and the germ has been arrested ac- cuseds tried and convicted. It is a communicable disease. Whether or not contagious, is the most urgent qlies- tion of the people It is the prevalent opinion Of the best authorities that it is not contagious, although a few think it may be very rarely and feebiy so. It does not, like contagius maladies. ex-
 tend from case to case, or follow lines of travel and traffic, It has been a peculiar characteristic of all epidemics that a good majority of the cases have been one case only from a single house
 Where victims have been in the pre- senoe of other cases, the interval be- tween such exposure and the time of attack has varied from few hours to several weeks. While it is believed to be communicable, the manner of it's communication has thus far baked all investigation. The numerous theories are sufficient evidence of it's uncertain ty. .
 Being epidemic in community, the influence which determines it's mani festation in houses widely separated has not yet been discovered. Nor why 1t so often attacks one member of d family and sparas all the others. The most active investigations are being pursued. Protective measures Our knowledge of this disease being so limited, we can only be guided by such facts as we have The disease is located primarily l In the brain and spinal cord, In two bony cavities from which there is no natural outlet. Therefore 1t is not pos sible, in acute cases rapidly fatal, for ! the germ to escape to infect others. Such cases reasonably cannot be con- tagious But when the disease Is pro- tracted and involves the ear, the nose, or the lungs as 1t does sometimes, 1t is equally reasonable that the dis charges from these passages will con tain the infection Therefore all these discharges should be thoroughly and absolutely disinfected, as we'll as ev- erything else with which they have come iii contact. Why? because they
 are contagious. These germs are of feeble vitality and the best authorities do not believe the infection can be transmitted in cloth-i sing, or other things, hence quarantining { of houses and inmates is not thought 1 necessary. T .z , Ss | Ninety-five cases were reported in the State. of which 5l were in New Haven and 10 in other towns of New Haven County. The remaining 84 cases were scattered in five other counties and in ten different towns.
 The epidemic. in New Haven is now | subsiding, as usual with the approach of warm weather.