Evening star., 1937-04-25
MENINGITIS NOW UNDER FIRE
Scientific Experts of National Health Institute Studying Cycles Ct
Disease, Are in Search of Effective Serum and Hope
to Save Lives in Vigorous Campaign.

rlodlc upSurges and declines. TINS is
sometimes due to the historical life
cycles of the germs themselves; some
times it can be traced to the gradual
immunization interval Of the populace
generally and a gradually increasing
susceptibility as that inmunization
wears of; sometimes it can be traced
to definitely known climatic changes
or seasonal changes. Whatever its
cause, disease strikes at mankind in
cycles so definitely defined that one
can actually predict epidemics in any
known disease by studying the peaks
and valleys on certain charts that
hang upon the walls in the Offices of
the United States Public Health
Service.
In the case OF some diseases the
peaks have been lowered until they
have been reduced to no more than an
undulating line, almost level with the
valleys-as in the case of diphtheria.
When this occurs the scientist re-
joices, for 1t means that man has made
definite headway in conquering one
more mortal affliction. Curiously
enough, however, the line has never
yet been laid quite level by the Omen
Of science. The peaks or upswings al.
ways are indicated, though their
height and sharpness have in many
cases been brought under control
Time. money, persistence, study, re.
search and tireless devoted labor are
leveling the lines, but there is an in
evitabihty about their regularity Of
rise and fall that gives one pause.
"Give me few little centuries" said
one scientist, plodding patiently and
painstakingly in his laboratory. And
so one feels when he is told. quite
calmly, 1T will take about 20 more
years before We can find out some Of
the things we want to know about the
epidemiology of meningococcus-m
ingitis."
IN THE laboratory Of the National
Institute Of Health, DR.. Sara E.
Branham, with her laboratory assist
ants, Sadie E. Carlin, Dr. Margaret
Pittman and Assistant Robert Forkish.
is finding out some of the things that
will aid in the fight against this cere-
bro-spinal malady. Vivacious, enthu-
siastic and completely charming, DR..
Branham tosses off scientific terms in
an intriguing Southern accent that one
finds incompatible with all this test
tube, 10-syllable atmosphere, and yet
very convincing. withal. An IN. D."
"Ph. d." with eight years research
at the National Institute Of Health.
meteorological experience at the Uni
versity Of Rochester, and II years at
the University Of Chicago behind her,
Dr. Branham is the kind of scientist
who says, "All the people in the world
who have meningitis are my patients"
And says it as matter factly as she
jots down the results of her laboratory
observations.
Epidemic conditions in meningococ.
meningitis reached their height
in the United States, says DR.. Bran
ham, in 1917 and 1918, although
there had been extensive and serious
outbreaks in the mobilization camps
in France and England during the
World War. It was during the 19l7-18
period, when this country entered the
conflict and brought great groups Of
men together In military camps, that
epidemic conditions were studied and
classif1cations of the disease made in
the United States.
After 1918 cerebro- meningitis re.
sumed normal endemic proportions,
and for 10 years following very little
Of it occurred in this county. It
was in 1925 that steady increase in
the number Of cases began, especially
on the West Coast, and the peak Of
this epidemic was reached in 1929.
The trend Of the wave was from the
West eastward, and the outbreaks were
very severe. In Chicago, Detroit and
Indianapolis the outbreaks lasted for
q long time, and very diverse menin-
gococci were found to be the causative
| agents in these centers. In fact, in
Chicago q form of bacteria that had
| never been recognized before and has
never been tsported since, was found
to be responsible Tor the outbreaks. It
was not even . rus meningococcus
at all. which proved banning. But it
causes, none the less, cerebro- -menin-
gifts. Mortality in these epidemic
years was as high as from so to 80
per cent.
DURING 1930-1935 the cases Of
this disease fell to a low level in
| the United States, with q mortality
rate of no more than 20 per cent.
But in 1885 up went the pendulum
again and another epidemic was on
the way. BY 1895 q greater number
of cases Of the disease had been re-
ported in the United States than in
any time since 1890. They occurred.
for the most part, east of the Mis-
sissippi, and the outbreaks varied
Continued on Fourth Pags.)