Epidemiological Study of 383 Cases of Meningococcus Meningitis in the City of Milwaukee, 1927-1928 and 1929

Abstract

Meningococcus meningitis was prevalent for 3 yrs., resulting in 208 deaths. Cases were more prevalent in certain congested parts of the city, and there was a high seasonal incidence in March and April. Ages varied, but the highest proportion of cases were in the pre-school group, and among males. Morbidity, or number of cases that developed, was not influenced by culturing or isolation of carriers. Case fatality was highest in the age groups 41-50, and under 1 yr. Case fatality was lower among those treated in hospitals where the cisternal method was used routinely than in the home-treated group. The possibility of intimate contacts developing meningococcus meningitis was slight, for it is recorded that less than 1% of those exposed developed the disease.