MA-5,114

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 1905

Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, May 2013; modified Jan 2020, for website: Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-Of-Life Events. https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–5,114 Epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis. Census.[1] Mortality Statistics 1905. 1907, p. 43.[2]

Summary of State and the District of Columbia Breakouts[3]

Colorado ( 15) Registration city in non-registration State.

Connecticut (272) Highest rate ever and highest State death rate.

District of Columbia ( 8)

Indiana (146)

Maine ( 34)

Massachusetts (550) Highest rate ever.

Michigan (171) Highest rate ever.

Missouri ( 1)

Nebraska ( 1)

New Hampshire (139) Highest rate ever.

New Jersey (475) Highest rate ever.

New York (2,531) NYC (1,511-2,025) Highest rate ever/2^nd high State

North Carolina ( 2)

Ohio ( 27)

Pennsylvania ( 22)

Rhode Island ( 81)

Vermont ( 31)

Cities in Non-Registration States (676) (Such as Denver.)

Breakout of Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in 1905 by Registration States & Cities

Colorado ( 15)

–15 Denver, July 1, 1904-March 31, 1905. USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 865.[4]

Connecticut (272) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 270.

–211 Cities 61 Rural

District of Columbia ( 8) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 270.

Indiana (146) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 270.

–41 Cities 105 Rural

Maine ( 34) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–9 Cities 25 Rural

Massachusetts (550) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–480 Cities 70 Rural

— 4 Somerville, March 22-28. NYT. “Meningitis Shuts School,” 3-29-1905, p. 1.

Michigan (171) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–61 Cities 110 Rural

Missouri ( 1)

–1 St. Joseph, Apr 16-22 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 865.

Nebraska ( 1)

–1 Omaha, Feb 26-March 4 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

New Hampshire (139) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–96 Cities 43 Rural

New Jersey: (475)

–378 Cities 97 Rural

— 7 Hudson County other than Jersey City. NYT. “Plan to Fight Meningitis.” 3-22-1905, p. 11.

— 30 Jersey City, Jan 1-Feb 28 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

— 60 “ Mar 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

— 13 Jersey City, Hudson Co., March 1-20. NYT. “Thirteen Die of Meningitis.” 3-23-1905, p. 7.

— 1 Morristown, Morris Co., May 26. NY Times. “Dr. Charlton T. Lewis.” 5-27-1904, p. 9.

— 3 Newton area, Sussex Co., “last few days.” NYT. “Thirteen Die of Meningitis.” 3-23-1905, 7.

— 22 Newark, April 2-29. USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

— 3 “ April 30-May 6 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

— 2 Passaic, March 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

— 1 West Hoboken, April 2-8 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 866.

New York (2,531) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–2,316 Cities 215 Rural

New York City (1,511-2,025)

— 2,025 NYC. Elsner. The Prognosis of Internal Diseases (Vol. VI). 1916, 177-78.

— 1,511 “ Billings. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis [NYC] 1904-05.” JAMA, 6-2-1906.

–>1000 “ Jan-Apr JAMA. “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis,” V17, 4-29-1905, 1371-72.

–918 Jan 1-Apr 9 NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 4-11-1905, 10.

–553 ~Feb 5-Apr 5 (8 weeks) NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, 4-5-1905, p. 9.

–186 Feb NYT. “Spread of Meningitis.” 4-2-1905, p. 7.

–149 Feb NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.” 3-5-1905, p. 8.

–27 Jan 29-Feb 4 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

–40 Feb 5-11 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

–48 Feb 12-18 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

–62 Feb 19-25 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

–49 Feb 26-Mar 3, Manhattan. NYT. “Meningitis Still Gaining,” 3-14-1905, 16.

— 78 March 6-12 NYT. “Meningitis Still Gaining,” 3-14-1905, p16.

–57 Manhattan NYT. “Meningitis Still Gaining,” 3-14-1905, p.16.

— 72 March 13-19 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

— 85 March 20-26 NYT. “Fast Spread of Meningitis,” 4-1-1905, p. 7.

–131 March 27-Apr 2 NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 4-11-1905, 10.

–110 Apr 3-9 NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 4-11-1905, 10.

–117 Apr 9-15. Boston Globe. “New York Had 117 Cases this Week.” 4-16-1905.

North Carolina ( 2)

–2 Charlotte, March 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

Ohio ( 27)

–15 Cincinnati, Apr 1-28 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

— 2 Findlay, Apr 2-8 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

— 4 Springfield, Apr 1-May 5 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

— 6 Toledo, Apr 1-9 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

Pennsylvania ( 22)

–1 Allentown, Mar 26-Apr 1 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–1 Carbondale and vic., Jan 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–4 “ Feb 1-28 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–3 “ Mar 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–2 Chester Jan 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–3 “ Feb 1-28 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–2 Lancaster Mar 26-Apr USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–1 Shenandoah Jan 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–2 “ Mar 1-31 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

–3 Wilkes Barre Apr 1-15 USMHS. Public Heath Reports, 20/19, 5-12-1905, 867.

Rhode Island ( 81) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–68 Cities 13 Rural

— 4 Newport Naval Trng. Sta., Dec 13-22. NYT. “More Naval Station Deaths.” 12-23-1905, 14.

Vermont ( 31) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, Item 66, p. 271.

–6 Cities 25 Rural

Non-registration State cities (676) Census. Mortality Statistics 1905. Table 5, p. 270.

Death Rates for Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis within 1905 Registration Areas

70.8 New Hampshire Highest rate ever.

50.7 Connecticut Highest rate ever.

47.4 New York Highest rate ever.

46.7 New Jersey Highest rate ever.

42.6 Massachusetts Highest rate ever.

28.9 Vermont

27.8 Maine

26.7 Rhode Island

22.4 Indiana

19.1 District of Columbia

18.5 Michigan Highest rate ever

119.3 New Haven CT Highest rate in past five years.

92.4 Jersey City NJ Highest rate in past five years.

63.8 Paterson NJ

63.3 New York City Highest rate in past five years.

–81.5 Manhattan

–44.8 Brooklyn

–43.4 Bronx

–37.9 Queens

–23.3 Richmond (Staten Island)

56.8 Newark NJ

49.2 Fall River MA

48.5 Louisville KY

46.9 Boston MA Highest rate in past five years.

43.1 Cincinnati OH

36.5 New Orleans LA

35.9 Worcester MA

35.0 Syracuse NY

33.5 Indianapolis IN

32.9 Allegheny PA

32.5 Cleveland OH

32.4 Columbus OH

31.0 Pittsburgh PA

30.2 Buffalo NY

30.2 Rochester NY

29.6 Kansas City MO

28.7 Providence RI

28.0 Detroit MI

27.6 Baltimore MD

27.2 Memphis TN

25.9 Denver CO

23.8 Toledo OH

23.4 Chicago IL

22.8 San Francisco CA

22.7 Milwaukee WI

22.4 Scranton PA

19.1 Washington DC

18.8 St. Louis MO

17.8 St. Paul MN

15.7 Philadelphia PA

15.3 Minneapolis MN

13.0 Rochester NY

7.5 Omaha NB

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.

“The winters of 1872, 1881, 1893 and 1904 were what are known as “hard winters;” being cold, with considerable snow. The disease has always been abnormally prevalent for a year or two after each…” (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.)

JAMA abstract: “During the month of April and the last week in March the deaths from epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in New York City have averaged over 100 a week, and toward the end of the month the fatality was rather on the increase than on the decrease. Over 1,000 deaths from the disease have occurred in New York City since the beginning of the present year. It is easy to understand, then, that every effort is justified in preventing any further spread. Accordingly, though the affection has not been proved to be contagious, the New York City Department of Health has announced that hereafter the disease must be reported and that every room in which it has occurred must be disinfected and every patient as carefully isolated as for any of the known virulently contagious diseases” (JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association). “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis,” Vol. 17, 4-29-1905, pp. 1371-72.)

Rockefeller University: “In the winter of 1904-1905 meningococcal meningitis swept through New York City, killing more than 3,000 people as part of a worldwide pandemic. Simon Flexner (1863-1946), director of the newly established Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, was appointed to a city health department commission to investigate the epidemic.

“A renowned pathologist, Flexner knew that a bacterium caused the meningitis since it had been identified in 1887 and could be cultured easily. In addition, an antiserum that could kill the bacterium was available, made from the blood of horses infected with the it, but the therapy was being administered by subcutaneous injection and was not effective. Flexner also was familiar with cerebrospinal meningitis, having been part of a team that identified it during an epidemic among Maryland coal miners in 1893. From 1904 to 1907, he brought this field experience and his laboratory skills to bear on the disease. Using cultures from New York victims of the disease, he inoculated guinea pigs and monkeys to study the course of infection and ways of administering antiserum. He recognized that the problem was getting the antiserum where it was needed, in the brain, and thus he delivered it into the fluid that bathes the spinal column and the brain by a spinal (intrathecal) injection. The first human subjects received intrathecal injections of antiserum during a 1907 epidemic in Ohio. The death rate from the disease—which had been 75 percent—was cut in half. It remained the only effective therapy for three decades, until sulfa drugs and penicillin became available. The success of this treatment, which was widely reported in newspapers, impressed John D. Rockefeller, Sr. and helped persuade him to pledge funds, in 1908, to build the Rockefeller Hospital. By 1913, Flexner could report on the serum’s effectiveness in treating 1300 patients around the world.” (Rockefeller University. “The First Effective Therapy for Meningococcal Meningitis.” 2010.)

Newspaper Coverage Sampling

March 5, 1905: “The fact that New York is passing through an epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis of unprecedented severity is so well known to every one to whom the public health is a matter of concern that it invites frank discussion. This is especially true in view of the fact that the Board of Health has asked the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for an appropriation sufficient to cover the expense of a special investigation of this disease to the end that information now gathered may be of use should another outbreak occur.

“What is really known about this formidable disease may be told in few words. The meninges are two membranes enveloping the brain. The inflammation of one or both of these membranes is called meningitis. The variant of this disease known as cerebro-spinal meningitis is acute and infectious to a certain extent – but to just what extent is not known – and involves both the meninges and the spinal cord. It occurs sporadically and in epidemic form. The usual accompaniment of a rash has caused it to be know in localities where it is prevalent as ‘spotted fever.’ The average duration of the disease is from ten to fourteen days. The mortality attending it, while variable, is always high. No specific treatment for it is known. We have in it a type of disease easily recognized, and known to be due to the presence of a specific micro-organism, the meningococcus. What is not known or even guessed at with sufficient accuracy to furnish a working hypothesis is how this agency is transmitted, how it acts, and how its action may be counteracted.

“In this condition of practical ignorance it is not surprising that the health authorities and the medical profession of New York regard the prevalence of cerebro-spinal meningitis with grave concern. In 1903 there were 107 deaths from this cause in New York. In 1904 the number had increased to 1,211. Last month there were 149 deaths, or at the rate of 1.888 per year; last week there were 131, or at the rate of 6.812 per year, divided as follows: Cerebro-spinal meningitis 49, simple meningitis 65, tubercular meningitis 17. Nearly half of this mortality is in children under five years of age, and a large percentage of the other half is of young persons of both sexes under fifteen. On what may be accepted as a normal average for recent years the deaths from this cause should not exceed say twenty a week. There appears to be nothing the Board of Health or the medical profession can do, with the knowledge now available, to control this epidemic. It will probably subside in a few weeks, but when its curve on the vital statistics chart will again rise with an abrupt upward sweep is wholly conjectural. As it is not known how the infection is transmitted no precautions can be advised.

“It the means asked for are placed at the disposal of the Board of Health they will be devoted to thorough studies of the respiratory tract with reference to the meningococcus to determine if there are evidences of their dissemination in the throats and nasal passages of persons in normal health, or whether they are present only in connection with the symptoms of cerebro-spinal meningitis. This organism will also be subjected to careful culture studies, in the hope of finding some means of its extermination. At present this disease has no pathology and no therapeutics, a serious condition of affairs when it assumes epidemic for in such a community as this.” (New York Times. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.” 3-5-1905, p. 8.)

March 14: “According to the weekly report of the Board of Health, dated March 11, and made public yesterday, the total of all diseases except meningitis decreased during the week as compared with the previous week. The death rate for the city was 20.36 per 1,000 against 24.18 for the corresponding week of 1904.

“Meningitis showed an increase. There were 57 deaths from this cause last week against 49 for the previous week in Manhattan alone. In the whole city the number of deaths from meningitis last week was 78….” (New York Times. “Meningitis Still Gaining,” 3-14-1905, p. 16.)

March 23, Jersey City: “Thirteen deaths from cerebro-spinal meningitis occurred in Jersey City in the first twenty days of this month. Impressed by this threatening fact, Chief of Police Murphy yesterday summoned the Captains of every precinct in the city and ordered them to obtain from the men on patrol reports in regard to all accumulations of garbage on the streets.

“Piles of garbage have been permitted to accumulate everywhere during the Winter, the Finance Board having been prevented by lack of funds from making any appropriations for street cleaning. To them many trace the extraordinary prevalence of meningitis.

“Disturbing reports of the spread of that disease are also coming from the rural regions of Sussex County, proving that the cities are not the only parts of the State to suffer. Three deaths have occurred in the last few days near Newton, N.J., and several new cases are reported in that vicinity.” (New York Times. “Thirteen Die of Meningitis.” 3-23-1905, p. 7.)

March 26: “The recent spread of the epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis [NYC] and the appointment of a committee of special investigation by Dr. Darlington, President of the Health Department, serve to recall the fact that, even within the memory of living men, there have been previous epidemics of much greater extent than the epidemic now present. In the history of great epidemics of Europe that have come down to medical literature, either through contemporary historians or medical writers, from the thirteenth century on, symptoms are described that almost certainly point to what is now called epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis.

“In a work on diseases of the army published in 1752 Sir John Pringall gives an account of a jail or hospital fever which in many respects was similar to cerebro-spinal meningitis. On post-mortem examination suppuration of the brain was found. It is usually considered that epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis appeared first in 1805 in Geneva, Switzerland. Vieusseau described an uncommon disease which appeared in the Winter and Spring of that year. A year after its appearance in Geneva a severe epidemic of the same nature broke out in Medfield, Mass., and was described in detail by Danielson and Masey. In both of these epidemics the writers speak of the sudden onset, with loss of strength, vomiting, violent pains in the head and along the spine, and, in infants, convulsions.

“The epidemic that started in Medfield soon became rapidly diffused through the New England States. It extended to nearly all the towns in Massachusetts, and was particularly severe in Worcester; then it appeared in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Maine. It kept up continuously in one place or another in New England until 1816.

“There seems to have been some periodicity in the different epidemics of cerebro-spinal meningitis. One writer divides the history into four periods. The first, from 1805 to 1830, shows the disease in isolated epidemics in various places in Europe, but more generally in the United States. In the second period, 1837 to 1859, the disease became prevalent in widespread epidemics in France, Italy, Algiers, the United States, and Denmark. During the third period, from 1854 to 1875, it reached its widest diffusion throughout most of Europe, the adjoining countries of Asia, Africa, and South America. It was also prevalent in the United States. The fourth period, from 1876 to the present day, shows a return in slight epidemics of more or less considerable groups of cases in various countries, but particularly in the United States, Germany and Italy.

“The steady but rather slow progression of the disease is interesting. For instance, it was seen in Canada in 1807, in Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio in 1808, in New York and Pennsylvania in the year after. The year 1816 forms the close of this series of epidemics, with two unimportant exceptions until the year 1842.

“In the period from 1837 to 1850 the disease was especially prevalent in France, chiefly among the garrisons, and spread from there to Southern Italy, Denmark, and Iceland. Between 1885 and 1893 there were epidemics in cities along the Rhine, which were especially severe in Cologne in 1885, in Dusseldorf in 1890, and in Copenhagen in 1891. It reappeared in New York about 1890, and was especially severe in Boston in 1898.

“Some American authorities have claimed a definite periodicity in the return of epidemics of cerebro-spinal meningitis, at intervals of seventeen years, which is not far from correct as far as New York City is concerned. The different epidemics have not varied to any great extent in their clinical symptoms except in regard to the violence of the attacks in individual cases. In the violent type of cases death frequently occurs within twenty-four hours or less. In the milder cases the disease is prolonged to a sufficient period to allow the development later of the symptoms of meningitis and of the peculiar eruption which was in some of the earlier epidemics given the name of ‘spotted fever.’

“Within recent years the cause of the disease has been definitely established by bacteriologists to be a diplococcus, a minute micro-organism appearing in shape like a biscuit or a hot-cross bun, which is invariably present in the portion of the brain and spinal cord affected by the disease. How far it is to be considered a general infection and how far a local disease of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord is a question that will be studied by the commission. No exact knowledge at present exists in regard to the way this micro-organism enters the body of the patient, and how it passes to other cases. Sometimes it seems to be a matter of personal contagion; in other cases there is no known connection between the different patients.” (New York Times. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 3-26-1905, p. 28.)

March 28: “Somerville, Mass., March 28. – The Benjamin G. Brown School has been closed by order of the School Committee on account of two deaths of pupils from cerebro-spinal meningitis out of a total of four in this city this week. The closing of the school shuts out 300 or 400 pupils. The building will be disinfected.” (New York Times. “Meningitis Shuts School,” 3-29-1905, p. 1.)

April 5: “The fact that cerebro-spinal meningitis is the most anxious problem now confronting the local health authorities of New York is too well understood to need elaboration. One hundred and four deaths in New York from this disease in four days last week and 543 in eight weeks create a situation sufficiently serious to demand very thoughtful consideration….

“In Philadelphia it has given a heavy mortality; in Boston it is epidemic; throughout the smaller cities and towns of New England it prevails as probably never before…To a greater or less extent it seems to prevail all over the United States and over a good part of Europe….Epidemics of cerebro-spinal meningitis are very apt to follow hard Winters, and to find their victims chiefly among the badly housed or insufficiently nourished. This, however, is true of all epidemics….

“The local situation as regards the prevalence of cerebro-spinal meningitis presents no sensational features. The epidemic es expected to gradually subside within the next thirty or forty days, simply because epidemics of contagious and infectious diseases habitually attain their maximum development during March and April, and disappear in the early Summer….

The Pathology of Meningitis.

“The meninges are the two membranes by which the brain is enveloped. The inflammation of one or both of these membranes is called meningitis. It is a malady which assumes several forms, all of which are classed in popular terms as brain fever. The three kinds of meningitis which are of greatest public interest at present may be briefly described as follows:

SIMPLE MENINGITIS. – This is commonly, if not invariably, the result of poisonous secretions acting upon the pia mater. The most common source of infection is from diseased conditions in the ears, although the poison may come from any infective focus in the body. They symptoms first noticed are intense headache, pain in the back of the neck, fever, and delirium, with intervals of unconsciousness. As in all brain troubles, there may be paralysis of the whole or part of the muscular system, from pressure on or destruction of the nerves. The prognosis is always grave, and when the disease is fairly developed the treatment is purely symptomatic.

TUBERCULAR MENINGITIS. – This is a tubercular disease of the cerebral membrane, and results from the malevolent activities of the tubercle bacillus. In its common form this is found chiefly in young children. It develops slowly. The prodromal symptoms, which usually continue for some little time before a clear diagnosis is possible, are seen in a change in the disposition of the child. It lacks interest in its play, becomes peevish and irritable, suffers from headache, and loses appetite. Death is practically inevitable.

CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. – This is an acute infectious disease, involving the meninges and the spinal cord. Children are more subject to it than adults. Before the symptoms become alarming there are usually two or three days of general malaise, with headache, ‘stiff neck,’ sensitiveness of the eyes to light, and sometimes a rash, from which the malady has gained the name of spotted fever. As the disease progresses restlessness is replaced by delirium, and this in turn is followed by somnolence, or even complete coma. Its average duration is from ten days to two weeks, and the resulting mortality, while variable, is always high. Beyond the age of twenty-five or thirty years the susceptibility to cerebro-spinal meningitis is relatively slight. But that persons advanced in life may have it and die from it is shown by the lamented death of Mr. W. F. Potter, President of the Long Island Railroad, at the age of fifty.

Customary and New Methods in Treatment.

“There are many cases of recovery from attacks of this dread and mysterious malady, but when these occur they are rarely complete. Nearly always there is an after effect in the form of deafness or partial paralysis of the muscles of the legs. Generally speaking, recovery from a typical attack leaves the system wrecked. Medical science has not been in the least indifferent to its progress, and it has been studied as carefully as nay other disease, gut the results of this study have been fruitless as regards the finding of any method of treatment which inspires confidence, and wholly so in providing a specific….” (New York Times. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 4-5-1905, p. 9.)

April 15: “New York, April 15 — During the week ending today there were 117 deaths from, cerebro-spinal meningitis, as against 110 last week. In Brooklyn the week closing today brought, the heaviest mortality since the epidemic began. In Manhattan the disease is holding its own, but is not increasing.” (Boston Sunday Globe. “New York Had 117 Cases This Week [Meningitis].” 4-16-1905.)

April 21: “The Board of Health of New York has at last decided that whether cerebro-spinal meningitis is contagious or not, it should be so classes, and that the measures for preventing its communication from one person to another shall be as thorough as in the case of scarlet fever. In view of the conditions which exist, there is very little use in academic discussion as to the precise nature of the disease, which is now alarmingly epidemic. Whether contagious or merely infectious, the fact remains that the cases, as shown by the graphical charts of the Health Department, are grouping themselves ominously in the crowded centres, and that in these centres exist the conditions which favor the spread of the disease….” (NYT. “Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,” 4-21-1905, p. 8.)

About Meningitis

CDC on Meningococcal Meningitis (ICD Code A39.0): “Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus… These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia).

“These bacteria spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit (e.g., by living in close quarters, kissing). Doctors treat meningococcal disease with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense against meningococcal disease.” (CDC. Meningococcal Disease. 4-9-2018 update.)

Healthline on Meningitis: “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. Both are contagious. Meningococcal bacteria can’t survive outside the body for long, so you’re unlikely to get it from being near someone who has it.

Prolonged close contact with an infected person may increase risk of transmission. This is a concern in daycare centers, schools, and college dormitories. The bacteria can also spread through:

Saliva
Mucus
Kissing
Sharing eating utensils
Coughing
Sneezing
Contaminated food

“Some of us have meningitis-causing bacteria in our throats or noses. Even if we don’t get sick, we can still spread it to others.

“According to the World Health Organization, the incubation period is between to and 10 days…

“Stay up to date with immunizations and booster shots for meningitis.” (Healthline.com. “How Contagious is 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

Boston Sunday Globe. “New York Had 117 Cases This Week [Meningitis].” 4-16-1905. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com

Elsner, James B. and A Birol Kara. Hurricanes of the North Atlantic: Climate and Society. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease. 4-9-2018 update. Accessed 10-3-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html

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

JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis.” Vol. XLIV, No. 17, pp. 1371-1372, 4-29-1905. Accessed 1-6-2020 at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/466162

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[1] Ten Registration States (CT, IN, ME, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT), the District of Columbia, and about one dozen cities from within non-registration states with populations of 100,000 or more.

[2] A distinction is made between “tuberculous meningitis,” “simple meningitis,” and “epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis,” the latter of which was a “definite infectious disease.” There were 6,540 “simple meningitis” deaths reported in the registration area during 1905. The aggregate death rate for epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis in 1905 was 15.1 per 100,000 population, compared to 9.9 in 1904, and 5.9 in 1903.

[3] The Census breakout represents only the ten registration States and the District of Columbia, and a number of un-named cities in non-registration States The total shows 5,176 deaths, perhaps we have drawn a few statistics from the U.S. Marine Hospital Service Public Health Reports. It is possible, however, that the data drawn from the USMHS is also represented, say for Denver, CO, or the named localities in PA, but we are not shown that granularity in the Census report. For that reason we show the Census number 5,114 as the death toll.

[4] A registration city, thus these deaths would have been included in “Cities in Non-Registration States” number.