1881 — Cerebrospinal Meningitis Epidemic, New York City, NY                                   —   461

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard January 13, 2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 461  Billings. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis in New York City During 1904 and 1905.” JAMA.

— 461  Darlington. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.” Transactions [ACA] 1906 (Vol. 22). 1906, 56.

Narrative Information

Billings:  “During the past forty years there have been four outbreaks of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in New York City. The first and, up to that of 1904 and 1905, the most severe epidemic was in 1872, when there were 782 deaths—a death rate of 8.70 per 10,000. In 1881 and 1893 the outbreaks were not so severe; the number of deaths were, respectively, 461 and 469, and the death rates 3.70 and 2.67. The latest epidemic, the severest in the history of the city, began in the early months of 1904 and continued through 1905. During 1904 there were 1,083 deaths and a death rate of 4.6; during 1905, 1,511 deaths and a death rate of 6.3.”  (Billings, J. S. Jr. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis in New York City During 1904 and 1905.” JAMA, Vol. XLVI, No. 22, 6-2-1906, pp. 1670-1676, abstract.)

Darlington:  “During the past forty years there have been four outbreaks of epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis in New York City.  The first, and up to that of 1904 and 1905 the most severe, was in 1872, where there were 782 deaths – a death rate of 8.70.  In 1881 and 1893 the outbreaks were not so severe, the number of deaths being respectively 461 and 469, and the death rates 3.70 and 2.67.  The latest epidemic, the severest in the history of the city, began in the early months of 1904, and continued through 1905.  During 1904 there were 1,083 deaths, a death rate of 4.6; during 1905, 1,511 deaths – a death-rate of 6.3.”  (Darlington, Thomas. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.” Transactions of the American Climatological Association for the Year 1906 (Vol. 22). Philadelphia: for the Association, 1906, pp. 56-70, p. 56.)

Sophian:  “In 1872, 1881, 1883, the disease [cerebrospinal meningitis] was epidemic in New York City.” (Sophian Abraham. Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co., 1913, p. 10.)

On Meningitis

Healthline: “Meningitis is a swelling of the membranes around the spinal cord and brain. It can be caused by fungi, parasites, or even injury. Most often, it’s caused by viral or bacterial infection. Children are especially vulnerable to bacterial meningitis. Symptoms begin within a week after exposure. Common symptoms include headache, fever, and skin rash. Some types of meningitis are even life-threatening….

“Whether meningitis is contagious or not depends on the cause and the type….

“Fungal meningitis is not contagious….

“Parasitic meningitis is extremely rare and life-threatening…it isn’t contagious….

“Viral meningitis is the most common type, but it’s not usually life-threatening. The enteroviruses that cause meningitis can spread through direct contact with saliva, nasal mucus, or feces. They easily spread through coughing and sneezing. Direct or indirect contact with an infected person increases your risk of getting the same virus….Arboviruses that cause meningitis can be transmitted through insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Infection is most likely to occur in summer and early fall….

“Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness and can be life-threatening. It’s most often caused by Neisseria meningitides or Streptococcus pneumoniae….Prolonged close contact with an infected person may increase risk of transmission. This is a concern in daycare centers, schools, and college dormitories….

“Stay up to date with immunizations and booster shots for meningitis.”

Sources

Billings, J. S. Jr. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis in New York City During 1904 and 1905.” JAMA, Vol. XLVI, No. 22, 6-2-1906, pp. 1670-1676. Abstract accessed 5-15-2013 at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/mobile/article.aspx?articleid=458278

Darlington, Thomas. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.” Transactions of the American Climatological Association for the Year 1906 (Vol. 22). Philadelphia: for the Association, 1906, pp. 56-70. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=9gc8AAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Healthline.com. “How Contagious is Meningitis?” Accessed 6-19-2018 at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-contagious-meningitis#avoiding-meningitis

Sophian, Abraham. Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co., 1913. Google Digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=c6y3FJ7j8k8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false