|UEwen 2915) 
NATURE 
487 

of accurately reproducing plates from the original 
negative. Prof. Barnard is in every case very 
careful to point out the defects in each reproduc- 
tion, for sometimes some inequalities of illumina- 
tion, looking like nebulosities, are really defects 
of reproduction, even in these plates after so 
much care has been taken. The nebulous region 
of 15 Monocerotis is a wonderful photograph, and 
the reproduction is described as “beautiful.” It 
shows most distinctly the great nearly vacant 
region beginning near the nebula and running for 
two or three degrees to the west and then turning 
north for even a greater distance. The plate 
illustrating the small star cloud and black holes 
in Sagittarius is one of numerous other fine speci- 
mens of Prof. Barnard’s skill, but of which space 
forbids one to more than mention. No less beauti- 
ful than the Milky Way photographs are those 
showing comets. Among the many illustrated, 
most instructive are the changes of the forms of 
Comet I. 1892 (Swift), Comet IV. 1893 (Brooks), 
and Comet II. 1894 (Gale), series of photographs 
of which are given. Plate 1o1 records an inter- 
esting picture displaying the trail of the first comet 
(Comet V. 1892) discovered by the aid of photo- 
graphy. 
While Prof. Barnard has brought still more 
to perfection his collection of astronomical 
photographs by using lenses more effective than 
the old “Willard” lens, yet this record of pioneer 
work is one to be thoroughly proud of, and 
astronomical literature is greatly enriched by the 
permanent record contained in this fine volume. 
Witiiam J. S. Lockyer. 

CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER. 
EREBRO-SPINAL fever is a disease which 
occurs sporadically, 7.e., as occasional 
isolated cases, or in epidemic form ‘The first 
authenticated epidemic seems to have been in 
Geneva in 1805. In 1806 it appeared in the 
United States, and continued to prevail there for 
ten years, and again in 1861 to 1864. During 
this period, and indeed throughout the first half 
of last century, it was observed in different towns 
of France and of Italy, in Algeria, Spain, Den- 
mark, etc. In 1854 and for seven years after- 
wards it raged in Sweden, destroying more than 
4000 persons in that country. In 1863 it broke 
out in Germany and spread from north-eastern 
Prussia to the south German towns. In 1846 it 
appeared in many of the workhouses in Ireland, 
and in 1866-68 a very fatal type of it prevailed 
in Dublin, and to some extent in other parts of 
the country. The disease never seems to have 
established itself in London, or indeed in England, — 
but during the last ten years epidemics of some 
severity have prevailed in Belfast, Glasgow, and 
Edinburgh, and during thé past year a number 
of cases have occurred in different parts of the) 
country, particularly in connection with military’ 
camps. : 
Cerebro-spinal fever is also termed epidemic’ 
NO. 2383, VOL. 95] 
| 

meningitis, or epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, 
from the fact that the prominent lesion is inflam- 
mation of the membranes (meninges) of the brain 
and spinal-cord. Another name is spotted fever, 
owing to the occurrence of an eruption of hamor- 
rhagic spots, particularly on the abdomen, which, 
however, is often absent. 
The incubation period varies, but is frequently 
not more than four or five days, and the onset of 
the disease is usually sudden and ushered in by 
headache and vomiting. Stiffness and pain in 
the neck and retraction of the head are frequent, 
and twitching of the limbs and muscular tremor 
are often observed. Mental enfeeblement, stupor, 
or insensibility may occur, fever is present with 
prostration and wasting, and weakness or paraly- 
sis of various groups of muscles may ensue. 
Cases show considerable variation in severity 
and duration; some are acute, others chronic, some 
are mild, others severe, and others again very 
acute and fulminating, so that death may result 
within twenty-four hours of the onset. 
The causative micro-organism is a micrococcus, 
the “meningococcus” (Diplococcus intracellu- 
laris), a small spherical microbe measuring about 
1/25,000 in. in diameter. It occurs in pairs in 
groups principally within the cells of the exudation 
which forms on the membranes; it may also some- 
times be found in the blood by culture. The 
meningococcus, when treated by the Gram stain- 
ing process, remains uncoloured; it is readily 
cultivated on media containing serum, and by its 
cultural reactions can be distinguished from other 
similar micro-organisms, and does not develop 
at a temperature below about 75° F. The exam- 
ination of the cerebro-spinal fluid for the presence 
of the meningococcus is now practised for purpose 
of diagnosis of the disease. No drug exerts any 
specific action upon the disease, but an “anti- 
meningococcic serum’ is unquestionably some- 
times a valuable curative agent, though at other 
times it fails. This variation in effect probably 
depends upon the fact that varieties of the men- 
ingococcus exist, and unless the serum has been 
prepared with the variety for which it is to be 
employed it is likely to fail. 
The disease is undoubtedly spread by contact 
and possibly in other ways. The meningococcus 
is sometimes found located at the back of the 
throat, and may so exist not only in persons who 
have had the disease, but also in those who are 
seemingly healthy and have not suffered from the 
disease; such individuals constitute “carriers” 
and are sources of infection, and attempts have of 
late been made to detect such carriers by bacterio- 
logical examination, so that they may be isolated. 
Of preventive measures little of value is known, 
but recently a trial has been made of vaccinating 
with killed cultures of the meningococcus, with 
what result remains to be seen. The presence of 
the meningococeus in the throat has suggested 
that the organism enters the. body and centrai 
nervous system vid the nasal passages. 
Rowe. Et. 
