Daily Health Avoiding Contact With Meningitis Best Protect l By DR MORRIS FISHBEIN 1 Editor Journal of the American I Medical Association and of Hygeia the Health Magazine I One of the most serious of infectious diseases still attacking mankind is isi i cerebrospinal meningitis also occasionally occa occa- called spotted fever and brain fever lever The attack Is caused by action of the germ of meningitis called on the membranes mem- mem branes of the brain and spinal cord During the early carly months of 1932 there was an nn increase in the disease In England and an epidemic prevailed and in Following Following Follow Follow- ing the world war there were epi api- epidemic demic outbreaks in the United States Thereafter the disease decreased until about 1923 when it reached its lowest level Since then the condition condi condi- tion lion has gradually increased again Re Reports orts from Russia indicate a continuous continuous continuous con con- increase in the disease there S 'S since 1923 late figures reaching highest ever reached in that c c. c try The increase in the United S SI has been moderate A new max maX main was reached in 1929 with a j epidemic that crossed th the tho cou coun affecting however only some people In every Since e la the disease has been n this country so that ca caus cascA in January and in Feto there'S ary Iry 1932 as compared with January and in February i in i 1 IM The only way in which the av age person can protect h hi against meningitis is to avoid r possible contact with a case of of t disease Attempts Attempt have been nt in time of epidemic to use ue prevent vaccination but in general such t u vaccination is not The use of naS nasal ll sprays m washes and lotions has not i proved to be of special value wi Wh the thc di diagnosis is made treatment ri the specific curative serum has j if n value in lowering the number t deaths and in preventing