MENINGITIS MAY RECUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1916, Page 8

MENINGITIS MAY RECUR.

A COLD WEATHER WARNING. "It is probable that a recurrence of the cerebro-spinal meningitis outbreak will make itself felt in Victoria as soon as the cold comes," said the chairman of the Victorian Board of Public Health (Dr. Robertson) recently. "I do not say that there will necessarily be a recrudescence, but it is extremely probable and everyone should know of the risk. I do not anticipate that the scourge will in any circumstances manifest itself in so virulent a form as last year, but a great deal will depend upon the precautions taken to block it. So far as we are concerned everything is being done to impress upon public bodies the seriousness of the situation, and we are ready to deal with any emergency, but neglect in any sphere may lead to endless trouble and unhappiness. It is the duty of all municipal councils to take immediate steps to deal with cases that might occur, It is well to he ready for the probability, although it is just possible that if we are very careful a fresh outbreak will not come at all?' At pre'wnt there are only a few cases under treatment in Victoria, and for the time being the trouble appears to he well in hand, When meningitis raged 434 civilians and 20S soldiers contracted the complaint, and 245 of the patients died—a percentage, roughlv, of, 37- . \.^ The military authorities are ..-fully seized of the risks that lie alidad. In referring to the subject, tlis"' principal medical officer (Ueut,-C/ o ] o iiel Cuseadon) said: "We are r«Tdy to deal with eases expeditiously -/i tboy arise. The great risk of # - meningitis epidemic is overcrowding. ' This is somewhat difficult to overcome in a military camp, especially in these times of recruiting n lar«f;; army, but we have succeeded. In place of ten men being housed in a tent, not more than eight are to be ae- ' rommodnted. and where circumstances permit it the maximum will he reduced to six. As soon as a man gives indications of having a cold, if his voice becomes bourse, or if he complains of a sore throat, he will he immediately IsolateA until a bacteriological examination shows that there are no signs of incipient meningitis. We can afford to take no.fisks. Resides this, supplies of meningococcus serum art being manufactured at the Veterinary College for the army medical department, and large receives are being stored up for immediate use. The splitting up of camps will, of course, tend to l;eep any possible outbreak within narrow limits." The symptoms of meningitis arc shivering*, fever, headache, and vomiting, with the head drawn rigidly back, and often there is a ..dark, measly rash. In adults the throat is..usually swollen, with more or less .coughing. Vaccination is a precaution.. four or five injections being necessary -.it intervals of a week, the operation, being carried out with dead germ*.....