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1907
142
EPIDEMIC CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
Owing to the large number of cases and deaths from this disease, which
is also known as Cerebro-Sprnal Fever, in Belfast and in Glasgow towards the
end of 1906 and the beginning of 1907, the question of its notification was
brought under the notice of the Public Health Committee by the Medical
Officer of Health, who in a report explained that it is more usually found
among children under 10 years of age, and after childhood among those
approaching the age of puberty or of early adult life; and that it is seldom
met with after the age of 35 years and is very rare after 40. Also that it is
caused by bacteria, which, however, have not been absolutely identified, but that
they are generally thought to be the Diplococci intracellularis meningitidis of
Weichselbaum, although it is by no means certain that all epidemics are due
to them. Further that at such times the disease usually occurs in isolated
localities and has not hitherto seemed to extend from one district to the
adjacent districts ; and that it is widely distributed in the temperate zone and
prevails more in cold weather than in hot. In Ireland, where it has been more
prevalent than in any other part of he Kingdom, it has usually prevailed in
winter and early spring.
Some observers assert that it is neither contagious nor infectious, but
however true this may be one thing alone is certain, namely, that its ordinary
methods of propagation are unknown. It has not been trnced to food or water
supply, although it has been suggested that it owes its origin to the use of
breadstuffs made from diseased grain. There is, however, no proof that such
is the case.
As the disease was not notifiable under the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, the Public Health Committee, on the recommendation of the Medical
Officer of Health, addressed a communication to the London County Council
requesting them to consider the advisability of adding the disease to the list of
those already notifiable under the provisions of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, and stating that in view of the fact that so little is known about it,
especially as to its origin and method of spreading, they were of opinion that
the notification of all cases that occurred in London would enable a collective
inquiry to be made, and that probably much valuable information might be
obtained.
The result of this action was that a letter, dated the 4th March, 1907, was
received from the London County Council, intimating that they had made an