Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-13
SPINAL MENINGITIS
EPIDEMIC FEARED
Prompt Warnings Are Issued by
State and City Health
Officials.
FIRST DEATH IN RICHMOND
Second Case Has Developed.
Soldiers From Camp Lee
May Spread Disease.
FIRST DEATH IN RICHMOND

Following the death of Agnes Isa-
hcllc Cameron. about four years old.
yesterday at her home. 500 South
Laurel Street, from a violent attack
OF ccrcbro-spiral meningitis and the
development; OF second case in the
same house. together with several
deaths in other sections of Virginia.
officers of the Richmond and state
Health Departments last night issued
urgent warnings to the public TO pro-
tee, itself from contact with either
persons infected or those who might
be carriers of the disease.
Both cases in Richmond were of tho
epidemic variety, but health officers
had been unable 10 trace their origin.
The Laurel Street home was quar-
antined at cncc and every effort made
by local health officers to prevent I
spread OF the disease. while tho State
authorities took immediate action to
cope with the situation in Virginia
Six cases OF spinal meningitis have de-
veiopcd within the past two days In
Chesterfield and Bedford Counties.
while in one instance the contact has
been traced to a soldier from Camp
Lee.
CONDITION OF WILSON CHILD
Is SLIGHTLY IMPROVED
The second case 10 develop in this
city yesterday was that of Douglas
Wilson, four years old, who lives in
the same house with tho Cameron child
Physicians. having previously dag
nosed the first case as spiral mcnin-
gifts. Immediately recognized the mall
ady in the latter. and the child was
quickly treated with the serum, which
was injected into the spinal .colum n.
The Wilson child was slightly i'm
proved last night. The Cameron child
died after an illness Of only aLou,
thirty hours.
Health officers are inclined to believe
that the outbreak of meningitis in
ihts section is attributable indirectly
TO soldiers from Camp Lee, who have
nnwtttinEly, carried the germs to Rich
Tnond. They have been unable. how
ever. TO trace the origin Of either OF
the LEGAL cases. The Cameron child
is said not to have been in contact with
any ono who might have been near a
meningitis Datient, while the Wilson
chiId was brought to Richmond about
week ago from Pennsylvania. It was
taken sick Friday afternoon. the at
TACK appearing with violent vomiting
THREE CASES REPoRTED
FROM NEAR MIDLOTuIAN
Three cases OF spinal meninriti.
were reported 10 the State Board OF
fcaith yesterday near Midlothian. in
Chesterfield County Ono member n,
the family. soldier at Camp Lee
visited his home on short furlourh
and the malady Immediately made its
appearance. Two deaths followed
quickly. almost before the disease was
diagnosed. while the third child was
recovering last night. after being
treated with the serum. Three cases
were also reported from Bedford
county, but their origin could not be
traced.
We have taken every possible pre-
caution to prevent any spread in the
disease. said DIR. Roy X Flannagan
Chief Health Officer. last night, blu,
the public itself can do more to cope
win The malady than the Health Dc
parttnent. Meningitis can only be con-
tracted by obtaining the secretions OF
the patient. or from a carrier and i.
the public will not use common drink
!nS cups and other germ dispensers
much OF the danger will be removed
CAN BE CURED If
DIAGNOSED EARLY
physicians declared last night tha,
the disease could be cured in many
instances by an early diagnosis and
the injection of the serum Eut an
early diagnosis is absolutely neccs-
sary. DIR. Flanagan said every case
treated in Middlesex County last sum
iner during an outbreak had recovered
when the serum had been used. The
state Health Department has taken
vigorous action and will send physi-
cans TO make the injections where
possible.
Concerned at reports of the malady
In the State and apprehensivc that sol
diers from Camp Lee and elsewhere
may unwittinsly Spread the infection
the state Board Of Health yesterda,
issued public warning to the medical
profession and to the public. Follow
ing close upon the heels of the warn.
ing came two cases of the disease in
Richmond.
CAN DE SPREAD BY VISITS