Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-04
CEREBRo-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
Disease Infectious Under Intimate Con-
tact in Insanitary Surroundings.

From the New York Herald
From all appearances we are destined
to repeat some of the experiences of last
winter regarding the great prevalence of
infectious diseases. At this time last year
the public became much alarmed at the
existence of an epidemic of cerebro-spinai
meningitis that had a remarkably fatal
tendency. Pneumonia also piled up NOR
tally that was unprecedented. Measles
and scarlet fever We're scattered every
where and grip had it's usual. number of
victims. Now, sad to say. the spotted fever
has reappeared and is apparently destined
to follow its usual course in a widespread
and endemic way.
Many of the cases have commenced with
a virulent form of tonsiltis, thus implying
a common source of infection through the
throat and nasal passages. Another phase
of the disease has shown itself in a severe
form of bowel trouble which initiates ten
dency to n progressive invasion of the
brain and spinal cord 1t would thus ap-
pear that in the present epidemic there are
two avenues of attack the precise course
of which would argue for the existence Of a
common causative factor.
Feeble and badly-nouriShed children are
the first attacked. as is usual in all like
epidemics The disease is generally con-
Sidered to be infectious, but only under GER
tain condit ons Of intimate contact amid in
sanitary surroundings.
The virulent agent is a wel-recognized
microbe that enters in some way the nasal
and respiratory passages and finally ex-
ponds it's malignancy upon the brain and
spinal cord, producing the classic symp-
toms of headache. delirium. stupor. con-
vulSive seizures and other indications of
profound invoIvent of the nerve centers.
The malady has a very high mortality
and when fully developed is generally look
ed upon incurable The remarkable eff
feet of diphtheria antitoxin in the late
cases published by the Herald may, on still
further investigation, give 4 more favorable
outlook. In exceptional instances, when
there is a recovery, the poor victim may be
left with damaged brain, deafness, de-
fective sight or gradually drift into imbecil-
ity. These facts are sufficiently significant
to impress parents with the necessity of
guarding their chldren--for these are the
principal victimS-against all of the usual
chances of infection. In what these latter
actually consist has not as yet been demon
Strated. Some medical authorities are of
the opinion that the ailment is not in any
sense contagious and support their view by
the well-known fact that it does not spread
widely in families. Still it is always the
safer plan to doubt the anti-contag ion
theory. especially in view of the resent
ideas of mcrobic infection, and to assume
that every precaution against the possible
spread of the disease should be taken in
any event.
1t is well acknowledged, however, that
certain predisposing causes can be so modi-
fled as to give such as might be directly
liable to attack every known chance for
escape. For instance, children long housed
in close quarters amid filthy surroundings
more liable to be attacked than strong
er ones who spend their lives out of doors
and have plenty of sunshine and active ex-
ercise This explains why most of the vic
tins are to be found in the denselypopu-
lated and squalid tenement districts. 1t
need not be said that under present cir
cumstances the child who commences to all
should be taken in hand at once, as early
treatment may often forestall what might
otherwise prove to be a fatal seizure. An
attack of cerebro-spinal meningitis usually
sets in suddenly with severe headache. chill
ly feelings and intense aching pains in the
joints and muscles. These are soon follow
ed by a high temperature. often reaching
to los degrees or 107 degrees Fahrenheit.