The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-12
Kansas Soldier Responsible for
Meningitis ut DOniphan.
Aith0 Healthy Himself, He's
Menace to All Men.
KEPT IN ISOLATED PLACE
He BroOds Over the Suffering
He Has Caused.
Two Best Friends Victims OF
Dread Disease.

Camp DonIphau, Okla, Jan. IL
Sitting alone in Il small white canvas
tent hour after hour and day after
day, isolated even from the isolation
camp. is the man who, army surgeons
say, brought the cerebro-spiuaI men,
nights germs to this camp that started
the spread OF the dreaded disease.
There are at present twenty-nine cases
of meningitis in camp and so far eight
deaths have resulted
The young man came rom a small
western Kansas town and brought the
germs with him Surgeons say that he
is the healthiest germ carrier they
ever have found He could pass any
kind of physical examination, hasn't
been III since he was in the service.
and never knew until the other day
that his throat was denseIy populated
with strong. healthy meningitis germs.
The division surgeons have traced
his record down from the time he was
drafted and sent to Camp Funston,
and found a trail OF meningicis in his
wake. He is being treated daily and
expects TO be back with his company
within d week His name-weI1 that
doesn't matter Two OF his best friends
died Of meningitis and so did a tent
mate.
He Feels Responsible.
IN some way he feels partly respon-
s1oIe Tor their deaths since he learned
thar ne was germ carrier, and he has
oeen orooding so much it was neces-
sary 20 detail nurse to remain near
him all the time with special orders
70 cheer him up as much as possible
No one is allowed near him. and even
ms nurse must remain fifteen feet
away when talking to him. The car
Ter nimseIr must keep his mouth and
nostr1ls covered with cotton and gauze
whenever his nurse comes withiT, the
required distance. His food is placed
at certain distance from his tent and
he must go and get it
Meningitis at Funston started in the
depot brigade, of which he was a
member. When the men were trans
Ierred to other camps he was sent
here and assigned to the 10th am
muniuon train 1t wasn't long until
meningitis broke out there and three
deaths resulted. It has since spread
TO other units.
Watch Men Closely.
Whenever case of meningitis
breaks out in a company cultures of
all the contacts are taken and exam
ined in the search for carriers When
ever the carriers are discovered they
are isolated and treated The carriers
themselves usually are strong and
healthy. and many times never con-
tract the disease themselves. aItho
they spread it to their companions
and associates very easily
Measles in camp has dropped about
40 per cent the last three weeks To-
day there were only 2S2 cases. while
in the latter part of December there
were approximately 475. There are
seventy three cases OF pneumonia,
eight cases of scarlet fever and TWEEN
ty-two cases of diphtheria in the base
hospital There are, altogether
1.176 soldiers in the base hospital for
various reasons and ESQ confined eth
er to regimentaI infirnaries or their
own quarters. Every effort Is being
made to reduce the sickness in camp.
for when the division moves every
man who is i'll must be LEFT behind