CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1877, 14 September 1918, Page 2

CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.

The inllueuce of locality in connection with cerebro-spiual meningitis infection is discussed by Lieutenant-Colonel 11, H. Makgill, Assistant Director of Medical Services (Sanitary) in his report for 1917 on the sanitation of the training camps. “It was shown in last years’ report that at various periods the epidemic was prevalent among men from one district, although they might belong to separate units. To a much less extent, the same feature was noticeable in the earlier part of this year, when of the first six' cases live came from the OtagoSouthluud district. Thereafter it became more generally distributed. During the year live came from Auckland province, six from Otago - Southland, one. from Canterbury,' and one from Nelson. None came from Wellington or Hawkes Bay districts. Regarding the prevalence among men from Otago and Southland, some evidence was obtained as to the inllueuce of travelling, since in three cases the disease developed a few days after the men had arrived at their homes while on leave. The close association together of a number of men in railway carriages must give more than at any other time an opportunity for the carrier to distribute infection, while those constitutionally susceptible might readily be made more receptive by the development of catarrhal conditions which are so apt to be contracted in railway journeys, and more especially, doubtless, among men accustomed in camp to an open-air life and freedom from ill-ventilated conditions.”