CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS OR SPOTTED FEVER

CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS OR SPOTTED FEVER

    Cerebro-spinal meningitis is not a very common disease. In years gone by (fifty or sixty), when man's eating was far more irrational and environments more crude than they are today, we had visitations of this dread disease. It is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Where the inflammation is confined to the membranes of the brain it is called meningitis, and where it is confined to the membranes of the spinal cord it is called spinal meningitis. When both are involved, the two names are linked together and it is called cerebro-spinal meningitis. It is not a disease for families to undertake to treat without the advice of physicians.

    There is not very much that can be done except giving hot baths every three hours until the temperature is reduced below 101 degrees F. Then the baths may be given morning and night until the temperature is normal.

    Children suffering from this disease have no hunger, and should not be fed. The bowels should be cleaned out with enemas. Equalize the circulation by keeping the feet warm and the head cool. A very great deal could be said about this disease, but it is superfluous and unnecessary in a book of this kind. Public health laws require a death certificate, even if medical treatment is not as successful as no treatment at all. It takes understanding to do nothing well.