e chills, slight rise in
temperature, pain in the back of the neck, headaches, stupor, muscular
spasms, a slow pulse, often purple bleeding, eruption, coma and death
within hours, rather than days. This is a terrible disease, and a
physician is needed from the first. The death rate varies from twenty to
seventy-live per cent. Treatment must be given by a physician. Spinal
meningitis is inflammation of the membrane of the spinal cord along with
the accompanying back and extremity symptoms, while the head remains clear
and free from complications.

MENINGITIS.--This is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain
alone, and generally commences with fever and severe headaches, with
avoidance of light and noise as these are painful. In some cases we have
delirium, stupor and coma.

Treatment.--Treatment must be given by a physician, but cold applications
to the head and back are generally good. The bowels also must be kept
open.

MENINGITIS. Tubercular, (Basilar Meningitis).--This affection which is
also known as acute hydrocephalus (meaning water on the brain), is
essentially an acute tuberculosis in which the membranes of the brain,
sometimes of the cord bear the brunt of the attack. It is more common in
children than in adults. It is more frequent between the second and fifth
years, than in the first year. It is caused by the tubercular infection,
and follows the usual course of this disease. Ordinary meningitis is rapid
and well defined in its course, with "high fever," severe pains in the
head, intense nervousness, avoidance of light and sound, loss of appetite
and constipation. These symptoms are easily understood and are generally
clearly read by those around the patient. Unfortunately in tubercular
meningitis the clearly defined symptoms are absent in the beginning, and
when the physician is called the condition is dangerous. Usually the
patient complains but little. There is a slight headache, low fever, no
heat in the head, patient is pale most of the time, has little appetite,
vomits occasionally and desires to sleep. He is nervous, stupid and lies
on his side curled up with eyes away from the light. This disease appears
mostly in delicate children, who are poor eaters and fond of books;
usually in those inheriting poor constitutions. The mortality is very
high. Parents who have thin, pale sallow children with dainty appetites,
who frequently complain of headaches and are fond of books, should be
afraid