poor Wylie & Rella Axsom....

so far on findagrave.com have found four of their children who died in 1931 from spinal meningitis....
Dora born 1925
Dartha born 1923
Delphia born 1918
Dorval born 1921

meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spine cord ...may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms. Most common symptoms are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises.
Sometimes, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present, such as irritability and drowsiness. a rash on trunk, lower extremities, mucous membranes, soles of hands & feet may be present. in severe cases the rash can cause gangrene & amputation.
in infants up to six months of age, the soft spot on head may bulge.
in children seizures are the most common in early stages of meningitis.
Young children could experience leg pain, cold extremities, and abnormal skin color.
bacterial & viral meningitis are contagious. meningitis has a high mortality rate if left untreated.
this poor family had to be terrified!

in "Joseph H. Axsom and His Descendants" I found this family...
Wiley Axsom born 16Oct1887 Bloomington, Monroe Co, IN. married Rella Hillenburg 06 Oct 1917 in Nashville, Brown Co, IN. she was born 17 Oct 1900 daughter of John Oscar Hillenburg and Vina Cordelia Elkins, died 20 Sept 1976 buried Deckard Cemetery, Washington Twp, Brown county, IN. Wiley died 01 May 1961 buried Deckard Cem., Washington Twp., Brown Co, IN.
children
Delphia Axsom born 08Sept1918 Monroe Co, IN d.17July1931 Monroe Co, IN buried Terrill Cem., Brown Co, IN
Donald Axsom born 04 April 1920
Dorval Axsom born 07Nov1921 Monroe Co,IN died 09April1931 Monroe Co, IN buried Terrill Cem., Brown Co,IN
Dorothy (Dartha) nptm 1924 Monroe Co, IN died 08April1931 Monroe Co, IN buried Terrill Cem., Brown Co,IN
Dora Axsom Born 1925 Monroe Co IN died 08April1931 Monroe Co IN buried Terrill Cem., Brown Co, IN
Deloris Axsom 09Sept1927 Monroe Co IN. she married Charles Wayne Patton, d. 1991. Delores died 14April1994 buried Clear Creek Cemetery, Monroe Co, IN
Lester Axsom born 04April1930
Robert Axsom born 04June 1932 Monroe Co,IN died 20Oct1975 buried Clear Creek Cemetery, Monroe Co, IN
Everett Axsom born 13Nov1934 Monroe Co IN died 26Feb1970
Betty Delight Axsom born 1938 Monroe Co, IN died 23FEb1939 Monroe Co IN buried Terrill Cem., Brown Co, IN.


Dora & Dartha both died on April 8 1931, Dora was 5 or 6, Dartha was 6 or 7. the next day, Dorval died at age 9. oldest daughter Delphia died July 17 1931 age 12.
their siblings Donald (age 11), Deloris (3), and newborn Lester survived. were they sick as well? did they have any lasting complications? did they quarantine the sick children? were any others in their community afflicted? evidently Rella was ok, because Robert was born Jun 1932., then Everett in 1934, and little Betty Delight in 1938. she died 23Feb1939. that must've brought back awful awful memories.
this family suffered mightily. how did they survive such an ordeal?

today antibiotics, steroids, and other treatments can stop meningitis. there is a vaccine. what did their family doctor do for these children? how much did they know about the disease at this time?