EPIDEMIC MENINGITIS: A STUDY OF MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY CASES, WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO SEQUELAE

While epidemic meningitis is by no means a rare disease, the number of cases occurring when there is no epidemic is small. It seems worth while, therefore, to call attention to certain facts in regard to the disease based on a study of meningeal conditions in New York covering a period of sixteen years. During this time there has been no epidemic, so that the data show what occurs under normal conditions. We have been impressed with the fact that most of the laity and many physicians think that patients recovering from epidemic meningitis are liable to be seriously handicapped, especially in their mental development. For this reason we have followed up as many of our patients who recovered as possible to learn what percentage of cases show after-effects, and the nature of them. EPIDEMIOLOGY Epidemic meningitis is apparently a disease to which most persons have a natural immunity. In