245 –3,284

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 1904

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/

–3,284 US Census Bureau. Mortality Statistics 1907 (Registrations States & Cities)^[1] P 94.^[2]

–3,284 US Census Bureau. Special Reports. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904.[3] 1906, p. 708.

Connecticut (200) Hartford especially (108)

–200 State. US Census. Special Reports. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 708.

–149 Cities — 51 Rural Death rate 42.7, highest of registration states. xliii.

–108 Hartford. Steiner and Ingraham. “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Hartford…,” 353.

District of Columbia ( 11) Death rate 22.8 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–11 US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 708.

Indiana (159) Death rate 26.7 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–159 State. US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 708.

— 45 Cities –114 Rural

Maine ( 22) Death rate 29.4 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–22 State. US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–5 Cities –17 Rural

Massachusetts (155) Death rate 32.1 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–155 State. US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–125 Cities –30 Rural

Michigan (143) Death rate 15.5 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–143 State. US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

New Hampshire ( 14) Death rate 30.8 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–14 State. US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–4 Cities –10 Rural

New Jersey (245) US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–245 State. Death rate 41.1 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

–195 Cities –50 Rural

New York (1,630) New York City especially (1,083-1,403)

–1,630 Statewide US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–1,538 Cities –139 Rural Death rate 42.5 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

— >17 Buffalo. Public Health and Marine-Hosp. Ser. Public Health Reports, 4-28-1905, p. 762.

–1,403 NYC. Elsner, Henry. The Prognosis of Internal Diseases (Vol. VI). 1916, pp. 177-178.

–1,083 NYC. Billings. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis [NYC]…1904 and 1905.” JAMA, 6-2-1906.

Ohio ( >7)

—>7 Findlay and Springfield. Public Health and MHS. Public Health Reports, 4-28-1905, p. 762.

Pennsylvania ( 14)

–14 Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service. Public Health Reports, 4-28-1905, p. 762-763.

— 5 Carbondale and vicinity

— 4 Chester

— 8 Plymouth (July 1, 1904 to April 1, 1905) (Not in tally — do not know year breakout.)

— 5 Shenandoah

— 1 Wilkes Barre

Rhode Island ( 55) US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–34 Cities –21 Rural Death rate 24.9 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

Vermont ( 19) US Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 709.

–4 Cities –15 Rural Death rate 32.7 per 100,000 population; p. xliii.

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.)

Steiner and Ingraham on CT: “Connecticut has been visited by three previous extensive epidemics of cerebrospinal meningitis…The first epidemic, continuing from 1806 to 1816, is well known to the student of medical history in this country….The second epidemic was seen in Middletown in 1823…The third epidemic occurred in 1873…The epidemic we shall consider began in March, 1904, and continued, though in a much abated form, until December 1905. [p351]

“The first case, reported April 4, 1904, occurred in the northwestern outskirts of the town [Hartford], but previously three examples of the malady had been observed at the Hartford Hospital, although they were not then so diagnosed. Following these cases many persons were stricken with the disease, and its epidemic nature soon became thoroughly established. During the two succeeding years 145 cases were reported, most of them occurring during the first three months of the epidemic. If we tabulate the cases as reported, we note during 1904: 2 in March, 45 in April, 45 in May, 19 in June, 4 in July, 1 in August, 2 in September, 3 in October, 2 in November, and 2 in December. In other words, 92 of the cases were observed during the first three months, and 125 of the 145 cases during the first year….

“Of the 145 cases, 90 were males and 55 females. As to age, the distribution was: one to ten years, 86 cases; eleven to twenty years, 35 cases twenty-one to thirty years, 8 cases; thirty-one to forty years, 8 cases; forty-one to fifty years, 2 cases; fifty-one to sixty years, 3 cases; sixty-one to seventy years, 2 cases, seventy-one to eighty years, 1 case….Of the total number (145), 108 died, giving a mortality of 74.48 per cent.

“Geographically, most of the cases came from the east side of Hartford, where the population is the densest and largely made up of the lower classes, including the foreign element. Here the hygienic surroundings are frequently at fault. Twenty-two streets had more than one case, and in thirteen streets the cases were near one another, though some were on opposite sides of the street…. [p. 352]

“Fifty-five of the patients were admitted to the Hartford Hospital, and were studied as carefully as possible during the time at our command. Of this number 37 died, giving a mortality of 78.18 per cent….” [p. 353.]

(Steiner, Walter R., M.D. and Clarence B. Ingraham, Mr., M.D. “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Hartford, Connecticut, During 1904-1905.” American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Vol. CXXXV, pp. 351-365. Philadelphia and NY: Lea & Febiger, March 1908.)

Newspapers

May 13, 1904: “Charles O. Long, who had been the Superintendent of the Statue of Liberty since its erection on Bedloe’s Island, died on Wednesday night at his home…from spinal meningitis. He had been confined to his home for seven weeks.” (NYT, “Liberty’s Guardian Dead.” 5-13-1904, 9.)

May 26, 1904: “Morristown, N.J., May 26. – Dr. Charleston T. Lewis died at his home…this afternoon from cerebro-spinal meningitis. Dr. Lewis was ill less than three days….” (New York Times. “Dr. Charlton T. Lewis.” 5-27-1904, p. 9.)

June 13, 1904: “Francisco Mora-Silva, Chancellor of the Consulate of Ecuador, died of spinal meningitis early yesterday morning at Roosevelt Hospital…” (New York Times. “Ecuadorian Chancellor Dead.” 6-14-1904, p. 7.)

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

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

Gover, Mary, and Glee Jackson. “Cerebrospinal Meningitis,” Public Health Reports, Vo. 61, No. 13, pp. 433-450, 3-29-1946. Accessed 1-7-2020 at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4585609?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3Aea37750a229ba00f6f108426a7282e66&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

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

New York Times. “Dr. Charlton T. Lewis.” 5-27-1904, p. 9. Accessed 1-6-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/05/27/102575597.html?pageNumber=9

New York Times. “Ecuadorian Chancellor Dead.” 6-14-1904, p. 7. Accessed 1-6-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/14/100471706.html?pageNumber=7

New York Times. “Liberty’s Guardian Dead.” 5-13-1904, p. 9. Accessed 1-6-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/05/13/101145552.html?pageNumber=9

Rockefeller University. “The First Effective Therapy for Meningococcal Meningitis.” 2010. Accessed 5-15-2013 at: http://centennial.rucares.org/index.php?page=Meningitis

Steiner, Walter R., M.D. and Clarence B. Ingraham, Mr., M.D. “Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Hartford, Connecticut, During 1904-1905.” American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Vol. CXXXV. Philadelphia and NY: Lea & Febiger, March 1908. Accessed 1-7-2020 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=BFk9AQAAMAAJ&ppis=_e&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true

United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1905 (Eighth Annual Report). DC: GPO, 1907. Google digitized at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/mortstatsh_1905.pdf

United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1907 (Sixth Annual Report). DC: GPO, 1909. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=THe3AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census. Special Reports. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. Washington: GPO, 1906. Accessed 1-7-2010 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/mortstatsh_1900-1904.pdf

United States Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service. Public Health Reports, 4-28-1905, p. 762-763. Accessed 1-7-2020 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=EPmcKPTwnSUC&ppis=_e&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[1] Fifteen Registration States (CA, CO, CT, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SD, VT).

Several dozen cities from within non-registration states.

[2] There were 10,553 meningitis deaths registered; of which 7,295 were labeled “Simple or unqualified,” and 3,284 as “Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis.” It is this “epidemic” form we in take note of in our tally. According to Gover and Jackson (1946, p. 435), “simple meningitis…comprises meningitis not recorded as cerebrospinal or stated to be due to some organism other than the meningococcus.”

[3] From “Table 5. – Deaths in Registration Areas, from each disease and class of diseases: 1904,) item 66, “Epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis.”