Citation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1962; 11(30): 234-235.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1962, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In early January, 1962, repeated episodes of an obscure illness occurred in a family in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All three members of the family were involved but to different degrees. The disease was manifested by repeated episodes of a mild headache of sudden onset that rapidly progressed to one of unusual violence. Other associated symptoms were nausea, lethargy, weakness, incoordination, and difficulty in concentration. No relief was obtained by salicylates.

The family related that during extremely cold weather they frequently supplemented their heat by leaving the oven on continuously. Both adults in the family spent the majority of time during the week at their respective jobs. However, the wife, a school teacher, was at home during the week on two occasions when bad weather forced the closing of schools. Both of these dates coincided with attacks of this disease. Data on the daily maximum temperatures in Oklahoma City when correlated with dates of attacks revealed that all disease-free weekends occurred when the family was out of Oklahoma City, or when the outside temperature was in the 60s. On the weekend of the last attack, carbon monoxide intoxication was suggested to the family and they consequently had their gas appliances checked. The oven was apparently improperly adjusted. Blood specimens obtained from the wife 24 hours after an episode of illness revealed a 12% carbon monoxide content. No symptoms have been noted in members of the family since the oven was adjusted.

(Reported by Dr. Kirk Mosley, Commissioner of Health, Oklahoma State Department of Health.)