SPINAL MENINGITIS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 135, 30 July 1941, Page 5

SPINAL MENINGITIS

PREVALENT DISEASE PUBLIC WARNED I As in the World War of 191-1-;1S, cercbro spinal fever is again showing unmistakable signs of epidemic prevalence, states the chairman of the council of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, in a communication to medical practitioners throughout the Dominion. The spread of the disease, States the circular, is through droplet infection, person 'to person, and from nasal and mouth discharges of infected persons. Clinically recovered eases and healthy carriers are commonly concerned in spreading the disease in epidemics. The period of communicability lasts until the specific micro-organ-ism is no longer present in the mouth and nasal discharges of the patient or of the carrier. Advice to Public. Advice is given to increase the separation of individuals and the ventilation in living and sleeping quarters, and at daily occupations. Chilling, bodily fatigue and strain Should be minimised for those especially exposed to infection. It is interesting to note that in a meat works in North Auckland the three cases arising in workers occurred in cool chamber hands. Personal Cleanliness. Education is needed as to persona l cleanliness and the necessity of avoiding contact and droplet infection. Open air by day and fresh air by night are 'the best preventives. Prevention of overcrowding is essential—in homes, at work, in conreyances, at meetings, and particularly in sleeping quarters.